Sister M. Raphael (Mary Agnes) Speichinger, 93, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Savannah, Missouri, died on June 13, 2019, at the provincial house in Savannah, Missouri, in her of her 70 ^th year of profession.  Sister Raphael was born on May 2, 1926, in Indian Grove/Mendon, Missouri, to Adeline Effie (Zapf) and Phillip Lawrence Speichinger.  On June 20, 1949, she professed her vows as a Sister of St. Francis in Chillicothe, Missouri.  After teaching in elementary schools in Aholt, North Kansas City, Marceline and Kirksville in Missouri, she continued her teaching at the Sisters' Aspirancy in Savannah and served as Director of Formation for new members. As provincial superior from 1969 until 1982, she was instrumental in leading the community in implementing the directives of Vatican Council II; the building and opening of La Verna Village Nursing Home, and the sponsorship of Vietnamese and Cuban refugees.  She was head of dietary for the La Verna Heights Nursing Home and for the Sisters' Convent.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, her brothers Robert, Msgr. Lawrence (Fr. Spike), Vincent and Eugene, and her sister Anna Rose.  She is survived by her brother James and sister Marjorie of the home, her sisters Gertrude Leonard and Loretta Gordon and sister-in-law Leigh, many nieces and nephews, and her fellow religious sisters in community.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, June 18, at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in the Sisters of St. Francis Provincial House.  Burial will be in the Sisters' Cemetery.

The Scriptural Wake Service will be held Monday, June 17 at 7:00 PM in the Mother Pia Ministry Center of the Provincial House with Visitation after 5:00 PM.  Memorials may be left to the Sisters of St. Francis Ministry Fund or New Sisters' Fund.

Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home, Savannah is in charge of local arrangements.