1937
Richard
2016
Richard Robert Speer
November 4, 1937 — March 15, 2016
Richard Robert Speer, age 78 of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Burial will take place in Zion Cemetery, rural Savanna. A visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. A memorial fund has been established and will be divided amongst Richard’s favorite charities.
Richard was born on November 4, 1937, the son of Roy and Florence Irene (Carson) Speer in Massbach, Illinois. He attended Stockton High School and graduated with the Class of 1956. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves. Richard married Darlene D. Ritenour on March 31, 1957 in the Woodland Church, Mt. Carroll.
After he was discharged, Richard began trucking and started Speer Trucking in 1964. He operated the business for many years before becoming a heavy equipment operator. He was proud to be a Local #150 Union member for 27 years, before retiring in 1998. After retirement, Richard drove truck for Adolph Trucking in Chadwick.
Richard loved the outdoors, especially gardening. He planted tons of vegetables and over 100 tomato plants in his garden every year. Richard enjoyed sharing his produce more than he liked growing it. Sharing his produce with friends and neighbors earned him several nicknames, including “Tomato King” and “Sweet Corn”. Richard was a member of the Savanna Moose Lodge and the Mt. Carroll Fire Department, serving as Chief from 1981-1989. Richard also enjoyed relaxing and wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona. He was a dedicated Allis Chalmers tractor owner and enjoyed watching NASCAR, especially #3, Dale Earnhardt, Sr.. Most of all, Richard loved spending time with his family and visiting with friends.
Richard will be dearly missed by his three children, Rick Speer of Manito, Illinois, Sherrie (Craig) Vietmeyer of Mt. Carroll, and Robert (Michelle McGinnis) Speer of Mt. Carroll; three grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda) Vietmeyer, Courtney Vietmeyer, and Jordan Speer; and two great-grandchildren, Jayden and Hunter Vietmeyer.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Patrick Robert Vietmeyer.
Richard was born on November 4, 1937, the son of Roy and Florence Irene (Carson) Speer in Massbach, Illinois. He attended Stockton High School and graduated with the Class of 1956. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves. Richard married Darlene D. Ritenour on March 31, 1957 in the Woodland Church, Mt. Carroll.
After he was discharged, Richard began trucking and started Speer Trucking in 1964. He operated the business for many years before becoming a heavy equipment operator. He was proud to be a Local #150 Union member for 27 years, before retiring in 1998. After retirement, Richard drove truck for Adolph Trucking in Chadwick.
Richard loved the outdoors, especially gardening. He planted tons of vegetables and over 100 tomato plants in his garden every year. Richard enjoyed sharing his produce more than he liked growing it. Sharing his produce with friends and neighbors earned him several nicknames, including “Tomato King” and “Sweet Corn”. Richard was a member of the Savanna Moose Lodge and the Mt. Carroll Fire Department, serving as Chief from 1981-1989. Richard also enjoyed relaxing and wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona. He was a dedicated Allis Chalmers tractor owner and enjoyed watching NASCAR, especially #3, Dale Earnhardt, Sr.. Most of all, Richard loved spending time with his family and visiting with friends.
Richard will be dearly missed by his three children, Rick Speer of Manito, Illinois, Sherrie (Craig) Vietmeyer of Mt. Carroll, and Robert (Michelle McGinnis) Speer of Mt. Carroll; three grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda) Vietmeyer, Courtney Vietmeyer, and Jordan Speer; and two great-grandchildren, Jayden and Hunter Vietmeyer.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Patrick Robert Vietmeyer.
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