John Raymond Speck Jr., “Ray” age 92, formerly of Bowling Green, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. He was born on August 13, 1932 at home in Bowling Green, OH to John and Leta (Murdock) Speck Sr. Ray married Jean Frey on June 8, 1957 in Gibsonburg. Ray and Jean raised 4 children and celebrated over 67 years of marriage together before Jean’s passing in August. Ray has been waiting patiently to “lay down beside his wife.”
Ray graduated in 1950 from Bowling Green High School. He was drafted into the Army and proudly served in the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He was a tool and die maker for Dana Corporation retiring in 1990 after 35 years.
Ray was a true American and an avid outdoorsman. He was a volunteer fireman for the Middleton Township (Dunbridge) Fire Department for 47 years. He was also a member of the Tontogany American Legion for over 60 years. In 2018 Ray and his daughter, Cheryl, proudly flew with 150 other Veterans and guardian’s on Honor Flight to Washinton D.C. His passion for the outdoors included hunting game locally, deer hunting in Pennsylvania, and fishing with his son and family. He enjoyed finding mushrooms in Gaylord, MI with family and friends. Ray will also be remembered for being an excellent softball player for the Dana Potts, Toledo and Hal’s Barber Shop, Bowling Green, softball teams before hanging up his cleats at the age of 54. He was also an avid Cleveland Guardians and Ohio State fan. Ray was a lifelong member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dowling (BG).
One of his favorite things to do with family and friends was play cards, Pinochle or Euchre. His other favorite past time was doing paint by number paintings. He loved going to sporting events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At 92 he attended nearly every volleyball game of his great-granddaughter, Addy Loomis. Another milestone for Ray (at 92) was to travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend the wedding and reception of his granddaughter, Cassie.
Ray is survived by his children: Tammy (Randy) Weiland, Cheryl (Bill) Riffner, and Robert (Roxanne) Speck. Grandchildren: Chad (Amanda) Weiland, Stacey (Adam) Loomis, Corey (Megan) Weiland, Brett (Megan) Riffner, Keith (Molly) Riffner, Nathan (Marlena) DiPillo, Cassie (Mark) Slaktoski, and John Speck. Great-grandfather of 14 Eli, Evan, Miranda. Addy, Brooke, Conner, Cara, Max, Hadley, Kase, Makenna, Cooper, Greyson and Skyler. Sister: Belva Smith, sisters-in-law: Marilyn Weyant, Rita Lemke, numerous nieces and nephews and his lifelong friends Ruth Dennis and Dot Sarver. In addition to his wife Jean, preceding him in death are his parents, daughter Becky (Filippo) DiPillo, sister; Martha (Carl) Thornton, one infant brother, and brother-in-law; Wilbur Smith.
Family and friends will be received 4-7p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Marsh & Marsteller Funeral Home, 110 Main Street in Luckey. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m., Monday, December 16, 2024 with additional visitation from 10 a.m., until service time at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 22552 Carter Road, Bowling Green, (Dowling) Ohio. Interment will be in New Belleville Cemetery in Dowling OH immediately following. Officiating will be Pr. Bob Noble assisted by S.A.M. Jeannine Grimm.
The family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to: Christ Evangelical Church in Dowling Ohio or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. The family would like to thank the staff of Otterbein SeniorLiving and Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Those wishing to express a word of encouragement, share a memory or photo may do so at: www.marshfuneralhomes.com.
