Albert D. Speelman
Age 90, of Minerva and formerly Newton Falls, died Tues., Dec. 24, 2013 in the Great Trail Care Center. He was born March 8, 1923 in New Lexington to John and Nellie (Wilson) Speelman. He was owner of Falls Pump Service in Newton Falls for many years and member of the Newton Falls Church of Christ. For several years he enjoyed ministering and entertaining groups as a "Clown". After moving to Minerva he became a member of the Great Trail Church of God. He was a US Army Veteran of WWII having fought in the battle of Normandy and several battles in central Europe.
He is preceded in death by his wives, Charlotte (Phillips) Speelman who died in 1991 and Chloris (Mowen) (Moreland) Speelman who died in 2013, daughter, Vivian Lakey, son, Albert "Doyle" Speelman, sister, Doris Baker, 5 brothers; Clyde, Robert, John, Harold and Jim Speelman. He is survived by a brother, Floyd (Hazel) Speelman of Minerva, sister, Faith (Jim) Moorehead of Zanesville, 3 grandchildren; Shawn Dew (Jimmy) Carlton, Erin (Beth) Grogan, Albert "Doyle" Speelman Jr. and Babette Ward, 8 great grandchildren; Dustin and Quenton Cooper and Zachery, Kylie and Bryce Grogan, Justin Salazar and Delilah and Lacie Ward, several step children and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services with full military honors will be Sat. at 2:00 pm in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva with Rev. John Lane officiating. Calling hours will be one hour prior to services. Following cremation, he will be interred in Newton Falls West Cemetery.