Rural King founder Kermit Speer dies
MATTOON — Local businessman and founder of Rural King Supply stores, James “Kermit” Speer, 91, of Port Orange, Florida, died at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2015, in Mattoon, Illinois.
In his early career, Mr. Speer was a farmer in the Bushnell, Illinois area. On June 5, 1960, Kermit Speer and Keith Beaird founded Rural King Supply in Mattoon with the second store in Paris. He was later joined in business by his nephews. The company now has 80 stores in 10 states.
As an entrepreneur, businessman, farmer and benefactor, Mr. Speer was dedicated to his family, community and country. He contributed to countless projects including the Lakeland Nursing Program, the train depot in Mattoon, the Paris Splash Park, the Mattoon Y, the USO, the Florida Elks, the World War II Memorial, the Paris Community Hospital, the VFW in Bushnell and Mattoon and the Ellisville Cemetery.
Born February 7, 1923 in Ellisville, Illinois, Mr. Speer was the fifth of eight children of Thomas and and Lila (Dallefeld) Speer. On May 24, 1969 he married Patricia J. McBride in Las Vegas, Nevada. She preceded him in death May 26, 1992.
Suriving are 23 nieces and nephews: Pam (John) Bates, Steve (Cathy) Speer, Bonnie Melvin Rogers, Joyce Staff, Gary (Theresa) Melvin, Janet (James) Hughbanks, Jay (Pam) Melvin, Angela (Mike) Repp, Carol (Doug) Baily, Marilyn (Bob) Hurt, Tom (Sara) Speer, Amy (Steve) Ruebush, Dr. Nancy (John) Speer Engquist, Stan (Mary) Speer, Jeff (Ellen) Speer, Bruce (Joni) Speer, Jackie (Dave) Thompson, Jill (Steve) Bainter, Greg (Cheryl) Speer, Peggy (Charles) Bowen, Barbara (Clyde) Fox, Tim (Tammie) Speer, Jennie (Ken) Robertson; two sister-in-laws, Audrey (Creel) Speer and Dana (Kenneth) Speer; 45 great nieces and nephews and 47 great-great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special lady friend, Elisabetha Czerwonka of Mattoon.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Eugene, Creel, Orvan, Kenneth and Dean Speer and sisters, Leota Speer and Eileen Melvin.
Mr. Speer was a proud veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific. He was a member of the VFW, Elks, Moose, American Legion and 40/8, a group within the American Legion.
Visitation for Mr. Speer in Mattoon, will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2015, at Schillings Funeral Home. There will be an additional visitation from 2-3 p.m. Sunday at the Bushnell Presbyterian Church followed by the funeral service and burial. Martin-Hollis Funeral Home is assisting the family in Bushnell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Sarah Bush Regional Cancer Center, the Bushnell Swimming Pool or the Bushnell-Prairie City FFA.