Ellwyn D. Spiker, 96, from Allentown, died March 4, 2020, in Country Meadows, Allentown, where he resided.

He was the husband of the late Mary I. (Kinnerney) Spiker.

Born Dec. 16, 1923, in Corsicana, Navaro County, Texas, he was the son of the late Admiral Dewey Spiker and Pauline L. (Boyd) Spiker.

He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Hospital Corps.

He retired in fall 1986 from the presidency of Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, a position he held since 1969, when he came to Allentown to supervise planning, design and construction of the new hospital.

He provided the leadership which established Lehigh Valley Hospital as a world-class health care facility.

During his professional career, he had a special interest in emergency medicine and trauma care.

He provided leadership establishing Lehigh Valley Hospital Center as Pennsylvania’s first state designated trauma center.

Upon the establishment of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Act of the state Legislature, he became the foundation’s first vice president in 1985.

He was instrumental in the development of Pennsylvania’s standards for trauma care.

He then served as chairman, president and chief executive officer for two consecutive terms and again returned as vice president.

Before coming to Allentown, he was CEO at the New England Center Hospital, Boston, and was responsible for planning the $72.5 million long-range plan for that institution.

He serve on numerous professional health care association boards.

He received an honorary doctoral degree from Allentown College of St. Frances De Sales, Allentown, an MPH in hospital administration from Yale University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Los Angeles State College and a diploma in nursing from St. Elizabeth Hospital, Washington, D.C.

He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield, and an active member of Serra International, Allentown, since 1991.

His survivors include a daughter Anne B. Weaver and her husband, John, of Hummelstown; son Terence A. Spiker and his wife, Robin, of Jim Thorpe; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by sons Mark E. and Patrick D.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and/or to the Serra Club of Allentown, both c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.