Richard Speer

Richard Speer, 73, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Gathering for family and friends will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2014 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Lory’s Place or Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory of Richard online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Richard was born August 31, 1940 in National City, CA to Howard and Forrest Arlene (Kimple) Speer. On October 27, 1962 Richard married his wife Marti Beebe in Oregon. He worked as a Sales Executive for Whirlpool Corporation and during this time his hobbies were boating and fishing. During his retirement years he enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren and watching Tigers baseball and Notre Dame Football. Recently during Richard’s retirement he decided to do something with his time so he started driving a school bus for Lakeshore Public Schools which he enjoyed and looked forward to seeing the children on his bus every day. Richard is survived by his wife Marti of St. Joseph; daughters, Kimberly Speer of Warren, RI and Janette (Keith) Ramach of Westlake, OH; grandchildren, Jason, Matthew and Paige Ramach; brother, Edward (Sherry) Speer; sister, Barbara (Dan) Bauer. He was preceded in death by his father Howard Speer and mother Forrest Arlene Speer.