KDWPT Competitors at the 17th annual Kansas Eco-Meet
ELMDALE–Think you know Kansas’ flora and fauna inside and out? Would you be willing to put your knowledge to the test? Seventy-nine students from 12 schools across the state did just that during the 17th Annual Kansas ECO-Meet State Finals competition on November 5, and the results were impressive. Held at the Camp Wood YMCA, near Elmdale, the ECO-Meet tested students’ knowledge via a wetlands and aquatic ecosystems test, invertebrates test, live plant scavenger hunt, and an interpretive event.
To compete at the state level, students had to qualify at one of seven regional competitions held in September and October at Milford Nature Center, Lakewood Discovery Center, Dillon Nature Center, Wilson Lake, Great Plains Nature Center, Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, and Ernie Miller Nature Center.
At the state competition, a total of 21 teams participated, along with six students who qualified as individuals in the two test events. Schools represented at the state competition included Clay Center, Goddard, Goessel, Inman, Maize, Miltonvale, Nickerson, Pike Valley, Pratt, Salina South, Shawnee Mission South, St. Mary’s-Colgan of Pittsburg, Tescott, Tonganoxie, Wakefield, and Wilson.
2015 Kansas ECO-Meet State Finals Results are as follows:
Overall Team
1st – Shawnee Mission South High School Team A: Megan Jenkins, Joe Petty, Kara Pringle and team coach PJ Born – $300/student scholarships awarded.
2nd – Goddard HS: Sarah Tomtschick, Clara Towey, Brooke Wentz, Brooke Wetta and team coach Marylee Ramsey – $200/student scholarships awarded.
3rd – Wilson HS Team A: Anna Criswell, Aaron Dlabal, Trey Fink, Kyle Goldwater and team coach Melanie Falcon – $100/student scholarships awarded.
Individual Events Invertebrates
1st – Joe Petty, Shawnee Mission South High School A – $200 scholarship
2nd – Kara Pringle, Shawnee Mission South High School A – $100 scholarship awarded.
Wetlands/Aquatic Ecosystem
1st – Joe Petty, Shawnee Mission South High School A – $200 scholarship
2nd – Aaron Dlabal, Wilson High School A – $100 scholarship awarded.
For more information on the Kansas ECO-Meet, and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.kansasecomeet.org or contact program coordinator Mike Rader at [email protected] or (620) 672-0708.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State’s Jon Inman has been named the MIAA Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday (Nov. 24). Inman earns the honors for his efforts at the Nebraska-Kearney Holiday Inn Open this past weekend in Kearney, Neb.
Inman went 3-0 for the tournament in the Elite Division at 184 pounds. He recorded a fall over Asiah Dyer of Midland in 1:53 in his first match, defeated Luke Paine of Wyoming 7-2 in the semifinals, and defeated Zach Stodden of Nebraska-Kearney by a 14-6 major decision in the final. Ranked No. 6 in the nation at 184 pounds, Inman ran his overall record to 8-0 on the season.
Inman has now won two tournaments this year, also winning at the Bethany College Open at the beginning of the season.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old Wichita man faces about 2 ½ years in prison for a fatal shooting in June.
The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office says Justin Rourke also was ordered to pay about $12,000 in restitution in connection with the June 11 shooting death of 41-year-old Roman Padilla.
The Wichita Eagle reports that police have said Rourke pulled a handgun and shot Padilla and a dog after he and others went to a house to retrieve the pit bull puppy. Padilla later died at a Wichita hospital.
Rourke has said he fired in self-defense. He turned himself into police after the shooting and pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter.
Fort Hays State University was well represented at the recent annual conference of NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education, last month in Denver.
Brett Bruner, director of transition and student conduct, served as conference chair at the international conference, which was the largest to date with 1,109 undergraduate students, faculty members and associate members in attendance.
Bruner was selected the 2015 national Norman K. Russell Doctoral Scholarship recipient. The scholarship recognizes and assists one doctoral student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to orientation, retention and transition, who will contribute to the enhancement of the orientation field, and who is currently enrolled as a doctoral student in orientation-related fields.
Alyssa Mustard, Lakewood, Colo., a second-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master’s program and the graduate assistant for family and transfer engagement in the Office of Transition and Student Conduct, received the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Student award. This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated service to NODA or to the orientation, retention and transition profession.
Bruner presented the educational session “Patience Required: Integrating Orientation, Transition and Retention” with Missy Wikle, director of first-year experience at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.
Mustard presented the poster session “Family Engagement Beyond Orientation” and presented the educational session “First 40 Days at Fort Hays” as part of the regional innovative program highlights – transition session.
Mustard and Holly Weiss, Anthony, a second-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master’s program, presented the educational session “Reaching the Transition Summit Together.”
Weiss presented the educational session “The Difficult Conversation” and presented the educational session “Transition and Retention: The Impact of Gender-Based Violence.”
Jacob Patrick, Elizabeth, Colo., a second-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master’s program, presented the educational session “Planning a Purposeful Path: Mission Driven Programming” with Dr. ShaRhonda Maclin, dean of students at McPherson College, McPherson.
John Gettemeyer, St. Peters, Mo., a first-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master’s program, facilitated the educational orientation session on regional innovative program highlights.
Karen McCullough, assistant director of international student services, presented the pre-conference workshop “Rejuvenate and Elevate Your International Student Orientation Program” with Kasi Jones, senior assistant director of orientation at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.
Vince Bowhay, assistant director of the Memorial Union, presented the educational session “Appropriate Student Feedback and Involvement: Methods for Improving Persistence through First-Year Experience Programs.”
Hays city commissioners will meet tonight, Tue., Nov. 24, because of the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday.
Agenda items include requests to rezone the proposed Blue Sky Acres– northwest of 250th Ave. and Mount Pleasant Road south of Hays–from Agricultural to Residential Suburban; rezone 1517 Commerce Parkway from Agricultural to Light Industrial and then annexation of 1517 Commerce Parkway.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing October 19 for the Blue Sky Acres proposal. According to Hays Planning, Inspection and Enforcement Supervisor Jesse Rohr, several adjacent property owners spoke in opposition to the rezoning request citing concerns about water, stormwater drainage and road/access issues. The Planning Commission denied the request by a vote of six to one and recommended the city commission also deny rezoning because the request was not in line with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
The rezoning and annexation request of 1517 Commerce Parkway by property owners Terrance and Kelly Schmidt was approved by the Planning Commission and recommended for approval by the city commission. The plan for redevelopment/infill development on the site is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan and follows the Strong Towns concept.
Commissioners will also consider ordinances and a resolution allowing for an increase in the costs, meter rates, service charges and fees for Hays water customers.
During last week’s work session, Finance Director Kim Rupp presented a recommendation for a 17 percent increase in January 2016 water bills, followed by much smaller, annual three percent increases the next ten years.
The recommendation comes from a study done by Springsted, Inc., hired by the city to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the rate increases needed in the water fund to support future anticipated operating and maintenance expenditures, debt service, capital improvements, replacements and cash reserves. The current water distribution and treatment infrastructure is underfunded. It was determined the city should be spending approximately $895,000 per year for annual water capital maintenance and repairs; however, on average, only $445,000 has been dedicated annually to that purpose.
Commissioners asked Rupp to bring other water rate proposals that are not “front-loaded” with such a large hike.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
The arrest of a Topeka couple on child abuse charges has raised new questions about a custody battle that some say illustrates a
Photo by City of Topeka Jonathan Schumm, a member of the Topeka City Council, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse. One of the children was involved in a 2014 custody case pitting Schumm and his wife against a lesbian couple from Wichita who had cared for the child since she was 5 days old.
pattern of discrimination against gay Kansans seeking to adopt children.
The 2014 custody case pitted a lesbian couple from Wichita, Lisa and Tesa Hines, against Jonathan and Allison Schumm of Topeka for custody of the Hineses’ foster child, 10-month-old Isabella, who had been in their care since she was 5 days old.
The Hineses were married in 2008 in California, but in 2014 Kansas did not recognize same-sex marriages, so Lisa Hines pursued the adoption as a single adult. But after a months-long battle, the court granted custody to the Schumms on the recommendation of the state’s Department for Children and Families.
Last week, the Schumms were arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Kari Schmidt, Lisa Hines’ attorney, said she was “heartbroken” when she learned the Schumms had been arrested.
Looking back, Schmidt said she was concerned about the Schumms’ ability to care for another child when the court approved their adoption of Isabella. At the time, the couple had 14 children — 10 adopted and four biological — a number that disqualified them from acting as foster parents for the baby but not from adopting her.
Schmidt’s clients were both licensed social workers and were raising no other children.
“Contrast that to the home she was placed in,” Schmidt said in a phone interview Monday. “It defied logic to me. That’s why to this day I firmly believe it was a pretext to deny a lesbian couple a child they had bonded with.”
Tesa Hines believes that too.
Photo by Andy Marso Jonathan and Allison Schumm and 16 children live in their 2,200-square-foot Topeka home.
“I believe it was very political,” Tesa Hines said. “I believe they did not want us to adopt her mostly because we were lesbians. I think also because we were outspoken black women, both of us.”
Johnathan Schumm, a Topeka City Council member who is out of jail on bond, said the Hineses aren’t victims of discrimination.
In a brief interview Monday outside his home, he said the couple’s sexual orientation was not a factor in the custody decision.
“That case was argued solely on whether or not we qualified as family based on her siblings,” Schumm said, before declining further comment.
Court documents show that state officials urged the court to place Isabella with the Schumms because the Topeka couple already had adopted some of her half-siblings. Schmidt argued that should have had no legal bearing on the case because Isabella had never known or lived with her siblings.
State officials pushing for Isabella’s placement with the Schumms seemingly ignored some warning signs, including previous allegations of abuse.
Asked for comment, Theresa Freed, a spokesperson for DCF, said the agency is prohibited from talking about specific cases.
Warning signs
In a blog called The Schumm Explosion, Allison Schumm wrote about the couple’s financial problems and their difficulty dealing with and disciplining so many children. In an April 5, 2013, post titled
“Loving the Unlovable (Bonding Part 2),” Allison Schumm wrote about one of the early days when the couple had started fostering three children they eventually would adopt.
One day, a police officer came to the house to question Allison Schumm about a pile of rocks in the yard and a dozen broken windows in the building next door.
When the children denied having anything to do with it, Schumm concluded that she and her husband had “taken in furious vandalizing thieves and liars” and had to devise a suitable punishment.
“After carefully thinking about it and realizing that they were never going to be able to pay for it, Jonathan and I decided in loving our children they would have to fill 12 40-pound cat litter buckets with rocks and carry them across our 1-acre parking lot of a yard and dump them,” Allison Schumm wrote.
A year later she wrote about the stress of dealing with an abuse investigation.
Eventually, she wrote, “two very kind ladies from DCF showed up” to wrap up the investigation. “They talked to our boys, then talked to my husband and I about our discipline techniques, thanked us and told us that we would receive a letter within the next few weeks stating that all changers (sic) were unfounded,” she wrote.
A few months after that post, a DCF contractor recommended that Isabella be placed with the Schumms instead of Hines.
Social engineering
Schmidt said she believes the Hines case is part of a concerted effort by officials in Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration to steer children away from gay couples, but it’s an effort that’s been complicated by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that compels states to allow and recognize gay marriage. Schmidt isn’t alone in her concerns.
In July 2013, Johnson County District Court Judge Kathleen Sloan removed a child from state custody after finding that DCF officials had gone to extreme lengths to build a case against a woman in a same-sex relationship seeking to adopt her foster child. In the ruling, Sloan cited an email from a DCF official to DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore in which the official mentioned the foster mother’s sexual orientation as a concern.
Sloan said in the ruling that DCF officials had abandoned the state’s legal directive to act in the best interests of the child and instead pursued a larger social agenda.
“They were clearly alarmed that this child might be adopted by a gay couple,” Sloan wrote. “DCF worked hard to try and build a strong psychological and medical case against these women.” The Hineses say DCF was similarly biased against them, with one social worker telling them at the beginning of the process that their petition to adopt Isabella was going nowhere. “She basically told us the Schumms were going to get the baby,” Lisa Hines said.
“That’s just the way it is.” In July of this year, another judge raised questions about DCF policies towards gay Kansans.
Douglas County District Court Judge Peggy Carr Kittel sent a letter asking officials to respond to reports that the agency was preparing to allow only married couples to act as foster parents.
“With the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, Kansas must recognize same-sex marriages, so I assume then that same-sex married couples will qualify,” Kittel wrote.
Around that time, Rep. Barbara Bollier, a moderate Republican from Mission Hills, emailed Gilmore to say she was hearing from constituents with similar concerns — that gay couples were on the verge of being shut out of the foster care and adoption process.
Gilmore insisted at the time that DCF didn’t consider sexual orientation when making foster care and adoption placements. She said much the same thing last week when testifying at a legislative hearing where some lawmakers raised questions about the ability of same-sex couples to be good parents.
“The formal policy is we follow the law, and that will continue to be true,” Gilmore said.
Still, questions persist about the administration’s attitudes toward gay Kansans. Brownback, an opponent of gay marriage, rescinded anti-discrimination protections for gay state workers and moved the authority for licensing foster homes from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to DCF, a move that heightened concerns among same-sex couples seeking to foster or adopt children.
Those concerns are unfounded, Gilmore said.
“We are reviewing from bottom to top the entire licensure system, but I think that is a myth that is just sort of self-perpetuating,” she said. “We’re focused on the safety of children in the best possible way. We really want to focus on family preservation and children not even being removed from the home.”
However, a former highly placed official at DCF said the agency’s leaders and other top officials in the Brownback administration oppose allowing gay people to adopt children. “There was not a general attitude against gay people,” said the former staffer, who requested anonymity.
“But there was a general attitude against gay relationships, gay marriage, having gay people bringing up children, that type of thing.”
Jim McLean is executive editor of KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.
Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @andymarso
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The superintendent of Lawrence public schools has announced his resignation.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Rick Doll, Lawrence’s superintendent of public schools since 2009, announced his resignation Monday.
Doll says he’s resigning to take a job as an associate professor and executive director of the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute at Kansas State University. His resignation is effective June 30, 2016, the end of the current school year.
The Lawrence school board is expected to begin the process of replacing Doll immediately.
There are some holiday traditions that could stand a change, according to experts at Kansas State University Research and Extension.
Turkey dinner? Stays.
Football games? Yes.
Mom’s pumpkin pie? Sacred.
Eat ‘til you drop? Hmmm…
“This is the time of the year that we tend to overeat,” said Sandy Procter, a registered dietitian with K-State Research and Extension. “Holiday foods themselves are not the issue. It’s the amounts we eat and a lack of exercise during the holiday season that can be a problem.”
When holiday guests ask what they can bring for dinner, Procter has a suggested answer for hosts.
Tell them to bring their walking shoes!
When making holiday plans, include getting some exercise. Don’t just think of it as a feast of food and football games. There’s a lot of family time and family activity that can be included.
Some after-meal family activities might include going for a walk or playing outdoor games. Focus on the ‘family together’ part of the holidays, rather than the feeding frenzy and couch potato part.
Overeating has been linked to weight gain and obesity, which can contribute to such health issues as joint problems, cardiovascular concerns, Type 2 diabetes and more.
Recent studies suggest that Americans gain an average of one pound during the winter holiday season– but the bad news is that this extra weight is generally not lost each year. Instead, the pounds accumulate over the years and may be a major contributor to the overweight epidemic and the diseases associated with it.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides a guideline for healthy eating, called MyPlate, that includes daily recommended servings for the major food groups. Check it out at www.choosemyplate.gov.
What people need to know to eat healthfully is that recommended serving sizes are smaller than most think. For example, 10 french fries is considered one standard serving. A typical ‘value’ portion of french fries from a fast-food restaurant may be large enough for a family of four to share.
For small children, the size of one serving of fruits and vegetables is one tablespoon per year of age. We’re not talking about a large amount of food to count up to the recommended number of daily servings.
When faced with an overloaded holiday buffet, try these guidelines for estimating proper serving sizes:
* A lightbulb is similar in size to one serving of mashed potatoes, broccoli or other cooked vegetables;
* A deck of cards is similar in size to a 3-ounce serving of cooked meat (restaurant steaks may equal 3 or 4 servings!);
* A cupcake paper liner (about one-half cup) is similar in size to one standard serving of cooked grain foods such as rice, pasta, oatmeal or others;
* A nine-volt battery is similar in size to one standard serving of cheese (1 1/2 ounces);
* A ping-pong ball is similar in size to one standard serving of peanut butter (2 tablespoons);
* A compact disc is similar to a standard size serving for one pancake.
So, as you gather with family and friends for the Thanksgiving feast, choose sensible portions and get additional exercise to balance the abundant holiday food.
For more information on healthy serving sizes, contact the Ellis County Extension Office at 601 Main Street, 785-628-9430, to request our group program or materials on “Preventing Portion Distortion.”
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and 16 traffic stops Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 36th St, Hays; 12:46 AM
Suspicious Activity–100 block E 11th St, Hays; 4 AM
Welfare Check–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 9:49 AM
Juvenile Complaint–300 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:52 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3300 block Hall St, Hays; 10:20 AM
Animal At Large–22nd St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 10:49 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear); 400 block of E 8th St, Hays; 11:18 AM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 9/3 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 10/8 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 10/14 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 9/1 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 9/2 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 10/1 5 PM
Animal Call–1100 block E 15th St, Hays; 1:18 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–400 block E 14th St, Hays; 1:27 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–3000 block New Way, Hays; 2:11 PM
Animal At Large–6th and Riley St, Hays; 2:40 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–600 block Elm St, Hays; 2:56 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:28 PM
Civil Transport–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 5:09 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 35th St, Hays; 5:15 PM
Civil Dispute–1100 block Centennial Blvd, Hays; 4:50 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–17th and Allen St, Hays; 6:09 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–20th and Walnut, Hays; 8:40 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:16 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 10 traffic stops Sat. Nov. 21, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block W 9th St, Hays; 12:10 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1000 block Main St, Hays; 2:22 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 3:09 AM
Animal Injured–2200 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:58 AM
Unwanted Person–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:23 AM
Civil Dispute–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:52 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2900 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 1:23 PM
Animal At Large–100 block E 17th St, Hays; 2:51 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:34 PM
Drug Offenses–500 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:38 PM; 4:30 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 4:05 PM
Disturbance – General–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 5:42 PM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:49 PM
Burglary/vehicle–2900 block Sternberg Dr, Hays; 9:02 PM
Animal Call–4500 block Van Buren Dr, Hays; 9:28 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:45 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:45 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:46 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:46 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:46 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:47 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:47 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:47 PM
Animal Call–2500 block Indian Trl, Hays; 9:55 PM
Harassment (All Other)–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 10:23 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and 20 traffic stops Sun., Nov. 22, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:32 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–300 block E 11th St, Hays; 8:48 AM
Theft (general)–2800 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 11:43 AM
Animal At Large–2800 block Fort St, Hays; 12:15 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2100 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:42 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–800 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:43 PM
Civil Dispute–1500 block 40 Bypass Hwy, Hays; 1:37 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 2:50 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2200 block Centennial Blvd, Hays; 4:04 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4 PM; 5:30:00 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 5:42 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 7:04 PM
Allison Bannister will lead a workshop on writing and drawing comic books in the Trish Davies room at the Hays Public Library on Wednesday, November 25 at 1 p.m.
Bannister will discuss her experiences writing and drawing comics and offer tricks and tips for those interested in cartooning. Participants will have the opportunity to write, draw and learn from Ms. Bannister in an informal setting.
Bannister is a cartoonist who grew up in Hays. She is a recent graduate of the MFA program at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont.
Bannister is currently working on a kickstarter campaign to publish her comic book Wits End, an all-ages, fantasy comic. All ages are encouraged to attend the cartooning workshop at the Hays Public Library on Wednesday, November 25 at 1 p.m. You can read more about Allison Bannister at https://basictelepathy.com.
Charles A. Speer, age 84, passed away on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on June 9, 1931 in Pawnee County, Kansas, the son of Lloyd Clayton and Amanda Blanche Franz Speer. A resident of Scott City, Kansas until 1965 moving to Modoc, Kansas, he was a farmer and did custom work ranging from construction to contractor and custom cutting.
Memberships include the First Christian Church, Lions Club, Scott County Shriners, Masonic Lodge #284, and Odd Fellows all of Scott City, Kansas.
On June 10, 1951 he married Marilyn Butt in Dighton, Kansas. She survives.
Survivors include his Wife – Marilyn Speer of Modoc, Kansas, Three Sons – Gaylon Speer of Overbrook, Kansas, Gary Speer of Scott City, Kansas, Gordon Speer of Jetmore, Kansas, One Daughter – Jeanne Spradling of Baldwin City, Kansas, Four Brothers – Gerald Speer of Garden City, Kansas, Jarold Speer of Dighton, Kansas, Delmer Speer of Dighton, Kansas, Roger Speer of Dighton, Kansas, Two Sisters – Wanda Lee King of Glen Elder, Kansas, LaVona Perkins of Blue Springs, Missouri, Fourteen Grandchildren, Twenty Two Great Grandchildren and One Great Great Grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Three Brothers, One Sister and One Great Grandson.
Funeral Services will be held at the First Christian Church in Scott City, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2015 with Pastor Scott Wagner and Pastor Steve Payne presiding.
Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
