Kenneth Speer
October 26, 1940 ~ November 2, 2016
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
Kenneth (Ken) Allen Speer, 76, passed away on November 2, 2016. He was born in St. Joseph, MO, on October 26, 1940, the 10th child of Clara Isadore and Clarence Albert Speer. He graduated from Feitshans High School in Springfield, IL in 1958 and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He attended Sangamon State University after his military service.
On April 28, 1962, he married Alice Virginia Schadow, his high school sweetheart and the love of his life. In 1978, the family moved to Marietta, GA.
Ken loved his family and friends dearly. Ken's favorite activities were golf, fishing, gardening, road trips, science fiction movies, sporting events, Alaska State Troopers, RFD-TV, Molly B Polka Party, and trains. He was also an honorary Beach Babe.
Ken was employed at Horace Mann Insurance, ISA, National Service Industries, and retired from LOMA in 2002. He loved his faith community at the Catholic Church of St. Ann and was involved in the Thursday Bible study, RENEW and MUST ministries.
Ken is survived by his wife, Alice, of 54 years, son Mark, daughter Angela, granddaughters Bridgette, Brandi (Blake), and Casey (Jordan), great-grandchildren Carter, Brayleigh, and Ava; and sister Annie Greenslade, Springfield, IL. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his in-laws: Walter (Mary Ann) Schadow, Darlene Schadow, Robert (Roberta) Schadow, Connie Lorscheider, Jeannie Heffron, Margie (Tom) Albietz, and Rex Schadow. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Leroy, Clarence, and Eugene; sisters Betty Marie Speer, Pauline Pickrel, Mary Johnson, Edna Kornack, Barbara Brennan, and Lois Pletigen; and brothers-in-law William Schadow, Charles Schadow, Roger Heffron, and Terry Lorscheider.
A funeral mass will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA, on Friday, December 9, 2016, at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow. Burial will be at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA, 30062.
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‘Even though we have been separated through the years, I still fondly remember going to uncle Keens and aunt tootsie’s with mom and dad.(Pauline and Howard) To visit. He will be missed. We will visit again one day in heaven.love to the family.’
‘Pat and i (Pete) send our condolences. May Ken rest in peace and Alice may you find solace and peace with Jesus. We send our love and prayers your way.’
‘All my prayers and love to Alice, Angela & Mark. Ken was a special person to me and so much like my own wonderful father. He will be missed, but I am honored to have known this wonderful man.’
‘our thoughts and prayers are with the family may God Bless and comfort you at this time Ken and Alice are 2 of the nicest people we have met .Angela God Bless you you can never replace a parent but know he is in a better place .Mark may you feel God’s hand upon on your shoulder and his comfort at this time.We send our love to all of you.’
‘Loved you as my brother Ken for the past 27 years. I’ll miss you’
‘Ken will be greatly missed by everyone in the Schadow family. So thankful we have so many wonderful memories of all the visits and activities we have all enjoyed with Ken and his family throughout the years. We all shared our faith and counted our blessings. Ken loved life and especially enjoyed his growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As his health deteriorated over the last few years, Ken savored every moment of his life and lived each day to the fullest. He was truly an awesome example for the rest of us. Love and blessings to Alice, Mark, and Angela; may God wrap his loving arms around each of you and keep you in his care.’
‘Heartfelt and deepest sympathy to Alice and all the family.’
‘God’s blessings and great peace to Alice and all Ken’s family members. I will remember him as a kind, honest and sincere holy person.’
‘May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. Psalms 116:15.’
‘Our family would like to extend our condolences to your family for your lose. We pray that the God of comfort bring your family peace at this time of your grief.’
‘I worked at Sangamon Electric with Alice in the late 50’s. Kenneth graduated with me in ’58 from FHS. To Alice and her family I send my deepest sympathy. Jackie Stites’
‘God’s blessings to Alice and Family and sorrow for the loss of this fine man. Ken sought to know God and I know Ken and God are having great conversations today. His love for his family and Alice was evident to all of us who knew them in Little Rock Scripture Study.
To my friend in God’s loving arms, I wish you rest..
Thank you, Alice, for sharing him with us. We will miss him and pray for all of you in the days ahead.
Blessings,
Nancy Webster’
‘I worked both with, and for Ken at Horace Mann Insurance Co. in Springfield, IL for many years. He was a great boss and a good friend. I am sure he will be missed by his family and friends! My condolences to his family.’
‘I wish I could attend but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. The obit is beautiful. He lives on in our hearts and memories but will be greatly missed here on earth. I send my love to you.’
‘Our deepest sympathy to Alice and the rest of Ken’s wonderful family. One of our joys in life was to have had Ken visit us often when we moved to GA & before Alice & family moved to Ga. Ken loved our back deck. The GA Speer house they built was the same floor plan as ours – which we considered a great compliment. Rest in Peace Ken.’