Seymour
Carroll Eugene “Gene” Speaker, 72, of Seymour, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus.
Gene was born on October 6, 1943, in Seymour, to the late Frances and Edith Speaker.
He was a graduate of Columbus High School and Purdue University. On June 4, 1966, he married Roberta “Bobbi” Redmon in Columbus. Their 50th wedding anniversary would have been this June 2016.
While at Purdue, Gene majored in Agriculture Economics and received his B.S. Degree in 1965. Gene was involved in many campus activities during his years at Purdue. He was president of his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho, and was also selected to be a member of the Iron Key. Iron Keys are bestowed upon a select group of undergraduate men as a symbol of the highest achievement attainable by campus leaders. Gene was a strong, proud Boilermaker his entire life and loved Boilermakers’ Basketball and Football.
At Purdue, Gene was in the Army ROTC and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He went on active duty in June of 1966 and served in Vietnam for one year. His leadership continued in the military with the Bronze Star being his highest award. Gene’s team saved a village by controlling a fire. After his return home from Vietnam, Gene and Bobbi finished his time of service in Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Gene worked for Ralston Purina in Ohio and Iowa before returning home to farm with his father and brother, Ron. Speaker’s Pork Lane Farms enjoyed many successful years raising hogs and crop farming. Gene was proud of his daughter’s years showing hogs at the Jackson County Fair and Indiana State Fair. Gene was a member of the Jackson County Pork Producers and was instrumental in the start-up of the “Pork Tent” at the Jackson County Fair.
Gene was a member of the Jackson County Zoning Board for 20 years. He fought for farmers’ rights and the protection of farm land. He was active in the Purdue Club of Jackson County and a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Gene is survived by his wife, Bobbi; daughters, Amy (Tom) Dowd and Erin (Tony) Miller; six grandchildren: Bailey Dowd, Karlee Dowd, Abby Miller, Chloe Miller, Brody Miller and Jude Miller; a sister, Linda (Alan) Johnson; two brothers, Larry (Jackie) Speaker and Ronald “Ronnie” (Jackie) Speaker; mother-in-law, Helen Redmon; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister, Barbara Speaker.
Friends may call at Voss Chapel from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016, and Saturday at First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. until time of service.
The Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church with a military service conducted by VFW Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled Veterans 47, Korean and Vietnam Veterans, all of Seymour.
The family asks that memorials be designated to the Alpha Gamma Rho Foundation – Ron Hurt Memorial or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
A complete obituary may be viewed on the funeral home website at www.vossfuneralservice.com.
