SPEES, Richard C. 1925 - 2012

SPEES, LAYMAN, DAVIS, COPE, PERKINS, ABERNATHY, FINDLAY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 4/3/2012 at 13:04:10

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 8

Richard SPEES

Richard SPEES, 86, of rural Selma, died at 4:28 a.m. today, Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Ridgewood Nursing and Rehab in Ottumwa.

Arrangements are pending at Pedrick Funeral Home in Douds.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Friday, March 30, 2012
Page 10

Richard C. SPEES

Richard C. SPEES, 86, of rural Selma, died from lung cancer at 4:28 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Ridgewood Care Center in Ottumwa.

A service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Pedrick Funeral Home in Douds, with the Rev. Ann Donat and the Rev. David Albert officiating. Burial will be in Iowaville Cemetery, west of Selma.

Open visitation wil begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with family present from 4-6 p.m. and Masonic rites by Celestial Lodge at 6 p.m.

Memorials to Blakesburg Antique Airfield, Selma United Methodist Church or Iowaville Cemetery may be left at the funeral home or may be mailed to the family at 12179 118th Road, Selma 52588.

Mr. SPEES was born Sept. 5, 1925, near Birmingham, the son of Thomas L. and Olive LAYMAN SPEES. He married Donna R. DAVIS May 5, 1951, in Batavia. She died April 17, 2004.

The SPEES family moved to Selma in 1935 and to the present family farm in 1937. Mr. SPEES started school in Birmingham, attended Selma School and received his high school general education development credential diploma in 1946. He was a self-employed trucker and farmer and long-time substitute mail carrier. He retired as a regular carrier out of Stockport Post Office.

Mr. SPEES served in the United States Navy as a medical corpsman from 1943-1946 during World War II.

He attended Selma United Methodist Church. Mr. SPEES was a member of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons Celestial Lodge No. 413 and American Legion John Hyson Reneker Post No. 494, both of Douds, and the former Selma Saddle Club.

Mr. SPEES bedame a licensed pilot in 1947 and enjoyed flying through late 2011. He was a member of Ercoupe Owners Club, Antique Airplane Association and Experimental Aircraft Association No. 409. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife in their recreational vehicle, attending family gatherings, working in his garage and driving his tractor.

Survivors include two daughters, Vickie COPE and husband Bill of Fremont and Joy PERKINS of Selma; one son, Kim SPEES and wife Susan of Selma; six grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Robert SPEES of Wentzville, Mo.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Roberta ABERNATHY and Ruth FINDLAY.

Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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