Samuel Leroy Finnegan

Samuel LeRoy Finnegan, 74, rural Peru, passed away on Saturday evening, February 24, 2018, at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru.

Born July 6, 1943, in Peru, Indiana, he was the son of Raymond and Betty Louise Moore Finnegan.  On November 2, 1963, at the First Christian Church, in Rochester, Indiana, he was married to the former Penny Lewis, and she survives.

Sam was an engineer on the C&O Railroad, Chessie System, and then Central Railroad, retiring after forty-three years.  He was a Army veteran, serving his country as an MP and serving in Viet Nam in 1967-68.  He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2067, the American Legion Post 0014, Moose Lodge Post 249, and FOP #72.  He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching IU and all the Indiana sports teams.  Although basketball was his favorite sport, he enjoyed watching the Bears and Colts.  Sam enjoyed looking out his window and watching the birds.  He collected trains and leprechauns and loved old country music.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Finnegan, Peru; five children, Tina (Calvin) Raider, Angie (Tony) Malott, Molly (Jeff) Grant, Louie (Billy) Wood, and Sam (Bridget) Finnegan; brothers, Larry and Tom Finnegan, and several nieces and nephews.

He loved all his grandkids and was very proud of them.   He was a wonderful and giving grandpa and was a father figure to a lot of other kids that loved and respected him. He is survived by grandchildren, Jeffrey (Kendra) Grant, Jon (Susie) Malott, Mallory (Alan) Grant, Nash (Jessi) Raider, Amanda (Justin Whalen) Marshall, Joseph (Britney) Grant, Austin Raider, Samantha (Jake) Wood, Clay Raider, Josie Wood, Landyn Wagner, Deklyn Finnegan, Courtlen Finnegan, Macy Buck, and Wyatt Buck; and great-grandchildren, Maverick Malott, Lily Marshall, Kennedy Marshall, Bella Parkins, Marshall Grant, and Drew Beebout.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Sue Atkinson, and brother, David Finnegan.

There will be no services or visitation.

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements.  The online guestbook can be signed at www.mcclainfh.com.