Samuel Herman Lahti, 70, of Liberty Township, passed away June 5, 2009 at his home.

He was born July 3, 1938 in Saugerties, N.Y.

Sam is survived by his wife, Mary D. (Riddle) Lahti; mother, Doris Lahti of East Greenbush, N.Y.; four daughters, Delinda (Craig) Schenker of Valparaiso, Robyn (Tom) Frailey of Valparaiso, Debbie (Ed) McCarty of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Lori (Eric) Everett of Valparaiso; two sons, Sam and Matt Lahti of Liberty Twp.; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; and two brothers and one sister.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel A. Lahti.

Sam was an owner of Riddle Equipment Company. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, during which he served as a radar operator for the Nike Missile Site. Sam also operated Steamatic Carpet Cleaning, Valparaiso, was a previous Valparaiso Jaycee President, founder of Valparaiso Soap Box Derby, and was an active softball and baseball coach for many years.

A funeral service, Pastor Matt Lemster officiating, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd, Valparaiso. Interment will follow at Angelcrest Cemetery, Valparaiso.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are requested to the Sam and Matt Lahti College Fund at any First Source Bank location. moellerfuneralhome.com

Posted 6/8/2009