Helen L. Speer

Helen L. Speer, age 84, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, died Friday, October 7, 2005 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mount Carroll. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2005 at the Mount Carroll United Methodist Church, Mt. Carroll. Reverend Mark Harkness of the Mount Carroll United Methodist Church will officiate. Inurnment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Memorials may be given in Helen’s memory in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com
Helen was born July 24, 1921 in rural Mount Carroll, Illinois, the daughter of Howard and Ethel (Sisler) Pauley. She married Wayne E. Speer on April 25, 1942 in Mount Carroll. Helen was a receptionist for Dr. C.G. Piper in Mount Carroll for many years. She was instrumental in the building of the Mt. Carroll Swimming Pool through the “Sink or Swim” store.
Helen was a member of the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church. Helen’s family was important to her and she loved them very much. She enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends. She spent time working on family genealogy.
Helen will be deeply missed by her husband Wayne of Mt. Carroll; her daughter, Janet (David) Smith of Mount Carroll; her son, Gerald Speer of Elizabeth, Illinois and two grandchildren, Jennifer (Shane) Brandel and Jason (Janice) Smith; and a brother in-law, Carlos “Cub” Zillhart of Mt. Carroll. and one sister-in-law, Gail Speer of Rockford.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; a son, Charles; a grandson, Kent; a sister, June Zillhart; and a brother and sister in-law, Francis and Dorothy Pauley.