Obituary for June Joyce Speer
June Joyce Speer, 89 of Wichita Kansas passed away on March 19, 2023, after contracting COVID 19.
June was born on June 5, 1933, in Webb City, Oklahoma. She was one of four daughters of Elmer L. and Hannah M.A. Hendricks. Born during the great depression, and in the exact center of the dust bowl, June's formative years were marked with many relocations while her father frequently moved his family in pursuit of work. June loved storytelling and often spoke of the years she lived in the Seattle area, where she still has family.
June was bright and witty, excelling at math and English, she graduated from Dighton Kansas High School in 1951 with the highest GPA in her graduating class while also capturing the heart of one of the county's most eligible bachelors. While in high school in Scott City, June met and fell in love with Paul Everett Speer. They were married on New Year’s Eve during her senior year of high school.
Paul and June agreed that it would be great to have one boy and one girl to round out their family. They were very pleased with their progress when their first-born was a boy. However, it took five more attempts to get that precious little girl. Yes, five boys in a row and then one girl.
While raising their own six children, June and Paul frequently extended their home to anyone in need. June was a compassionate and caring individual, always willing to help people and open her home to others in order to lend a helping hand. Her household, backyard, garage, and bunkhouse were always abuzz with kids of all ages. June (with the support of her husband Paul) cultivated an environment that truly felt inviting, nurturing, accepting, and safe.
June loved to read. Suffice it to say that family teased her about having a library in every room of the house. On Halloween (or any other opportunity) she would give books instead of candy to kids. She was also known to carry kid’s books in her trunk, in the event she had the opportunity to delight a youngster with a book. She loved that the neighborhood kids called her "The Book Lady" and knew they only had to ring her doorbell to get their next book.
June was predeceased by her husband, Paul, her mother, and father, and her three sisters. She is survived by her five sons, her daughter, and their spouses: Steven and Deanna Speer, Jeffery and Sandy Speer, Daniel and Kandi Speer, Clay and BeBe Speer, Anthony Speer, and Tonja and Gina Bonfiglio-Speer. June is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
A graveside gathering will be held at the Dighton Memorial Cemetery, at noon June 3rd 2023. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lane County Library care of Boomhower Funeral Home, PO Box 891, Dighton, KS 67839.
June was born on June 5, 1933, in Webb City, Oklahoma. She was one of four daughters of Elmer L. and Hannah M.A. Hendricks. Born during the great depression, and in the exact center of the dust bowl, June's formative years were marked with many relocations while her father frequently moved his family in pursuit of work. June loved storytelling and often spoke of the years she lived in the Seattle area, where she still has family.
June was bright and witty, excelling at math and English, she graduated from Dighton Kansas High School in 1951 with the highest GPA in her graduating class while also capturing the heart of one of the county's most eligible bachelors. While in high school in Scott City, June met and fell in love with Paul Everett Speer. They were married on New Year’s Eve during her senior year of high school.
Paul and June agreed that it would be great to have one boy and one girl to round out their family. They were very pleased with their progress when their first-born was a boy. However, it took five more attempts to get that precious little girl. Yes, five boys in a row and then one girl.
While raising their own six children, June and Paul frequently extended their home to anyone in need. June was a compassionate and caring individual, always willing to help people and open her home to others in order to lend a helping hand. Her household, backyard, garage, and bunkhouse were always abuzz with kids of all ages. June (with the support of her husband Paul) cultivated an environment that truly felt inviting, nurturing, accepting, and safe.
June loved to read. Suffice it to say that family teased her about having a library in every room of the house. On Halloween (or any other opportunity) she would give books instead of candy to kids. She was also known to carry kid’s books in her trunk, in the event she had the opportunity to delight a youngster with a book. She loved that the neighborhood kids called her "The Book Lady" and knew they only had to ring her doorbell to get their next book.
June was predeceased by her husband, Paul, her mother, and father, and her three sisters. She is survived by her five sons, her daughter, and their spouses: Steven and Deanna Speer, Jeffery and Sandy Speer, Daniel and Kandi Speer, Clay and BeBe Speer, Anthony Speer, and Tonja and Gina Bonfiglio-Speer. June is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
A graveside gathering will be held at the Dighton Memorial Cemetery, at noon June 3rd 2023. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lane County Library care of Boomhower Funeral Home, PO Box 891, Dighton, KS 67839.