Obituaries

Creel Speer

December 15th, 1918 – October 30th, 2014

Creel Speer, 95, of Macomb, IL, formerly of Table Grove, passed away at 10:26 am at the McDonough District Hospital on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

He was born on December 15, 1918 in Ellisville, IL, one of 8 children of Tom and Lila (Dallefeld) Speer. On August 23, 1941, he married Audrey Rawls in Bushnell, IL. They celebrated 73 years of marriage. She survives.

He is also survived by his 4 children, Carol (and Doug) Baily of Table Grove, Marilyn (and Bob) Hurt of Dakota, MN, Tom (and Sara) Speer of Gulf Breeze, FL, and Amy (and Steve) Ruebush of Blandinsville, 6 grandchildren, Sabrina (and Chris Hanger) Hurt, Quinton (and Katy) Baily, Bronson Hurt, Stephanie (and Matt) Brown, Elizabeth (and Mike) Oblinger, and Alex Ruebush, and 3 great-grandchildren, Sadie Hanger, Evan Brown,m and Sara Beth Brown, and one on the way, and one brother Kermit Speer of Port Orange, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Leota Speer, Eugene Speer, Orvan Speer, Ken Speer, Dean Speer, and Eileen Melvin.

After high school in Bushnell, IL, Creel began farming. Following WW II he sold the farm and became a merchant. In 1948, he and his brother Ken, opened Speer's Grocery, a place "where friends met" in Table Grove. He enjoyed people and recalling the stories that were generated, told, and retold in the store. Speer's Grocery supported Table Grove activities, including Saturday night "free shows" on the square. He retired after 35 years of selling groceries.

Creel was a 64 year member of the Table Grove Community Church where he served on and chaired many committees. He was elected to serve on the table Grove Village Board for a record 32 years.

After 62 years in Table Grove, he and his wife, Audrey, moved to the Wesley Estates in Macomb where they enjoyed the activities of the Village.

Visitation for Creel will be from 6-8 pm Saturday, November 1st at the Table Grove Community Church. A celebration of Creel's life will be held on Sunday, November 2 at 2 pm at the church. Interment will be in the Harris Cemetery in Table Grove. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Table Grove Fire and Rescue Squad or the Wesley Village Permanent Endowment.

Condolences

November 1st, 2014

So very sorry, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

November 1st, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Sincerely, Nancy Rutledge

November 2nd, 2014

What a wonderful life he had. Thinking of you today with deepest sympathy and much love. Anne Marie and D.O.

November 2nd, 2014

Creel has left a wonderful legacy -- a strong and loving family. So many friends and neighbors have been touched by Creel. Our prayers are with Audrey, Marilyn, Amy, Carol, Tom and families. God bless you, from Kathie and Jim Rozovics