Richard "Dick" Eugene Spearman
December 21, 1928 — September 28, 2016
Richard “Dick” Spearman, 87, of Marion, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dick was born December 21, 1928, the son of Edward and Cecil (Blevins) Spearman. Dick was honored to have served in the U.S. Army’s 724th Railroad Battalion during the Korean War, where he contributed to the effort to keep troops and supplies moving. Dick’s service was publically recognized in the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight ceremony in Washington, D.C., in 2014. In appreciation for his service, he was presented with a medallion from The Republic of Korea commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
After discharge from the Army, Dick returned home and married Elizabeth “Betty” Bock on June 12, 1955, in Bradley, Illinois. As the devoted husband, he loved his wife dearly through 61 years of marriage. Dick worked for the Illinois Central Railroad where he kept freight commerce moving smoothly across the railways of America. After retiring in 1986, he dedicated his time to woodworking, travel, friends and family. Dick stayed in touch with his Army buddies over the years and, with his dear wife, attended many of the reunions. Among his most cherished times were those he and Betty spent traveling with children, and later with grandchildren, introducing them to the wonders of America. His later years were filled surrounded by energetic great-grandchildren. Dick always shared words of encouragement and wisdom with family, friends, and strangers alike, and was known as a nice man by all who had met him.
Dick is survived by his wife, Betty of Marion; children, William Spearman of Anchorage, Alaska, Jean (Brian) Larson of Cedar Falls; grandchildren, Amy Spearman, Lindsay (Adam) Varney, Hillary (Brian) Osterday, and Kelly (Shane) Cross; and great grandchildren Grant, Drake, Hudson, Jace, and Ivy.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald.
Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, October 2, 2016, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Service: 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2016, at the funeral home, which will be officiated by Pastor Keith Nester of First United Methodist Church, Marion. Burial will be at Oak Shade Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Please share a memory of Dick at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
After discharge from the Army, Dick returned home and married Elizabeth “Betty” Bock on June 12, 1955, in Bradley, Illinois. As the devoted husband, he loved his wife dearly through 61 years of marriage. Dick worked for the Illinois Central Railroad where he kept freight commerce moving smoothly across the railways of America. After retiring in 1986, he dedicated his time to woodworking, travel, friends and family. Dick stayed in touch with his Army buddies over the years and, with his dear wife, attended many of the reunions. Among his most cherished times were those he and Betty spent traveling with children, and later with grandchildren, introducing them to the wonders of America. His later years were filled surrounded by energetic great-grandchildren. Dick always shared words of encouragement and wisdom with family, friends, and strangers alike, and was known as a nice man by all who had met him.
Dick is survived by his wife, Betty of Marion; children, William Spearman of Anchorage, Alaska, Jean (Brian) Larson of Cedar Falls; grandchildren, Amy Spearman, Lindsay (Adam) Varney, Hillary (Brian) Osterday, and Kelly (Shane) Cross; and great grandchildren Grant, Drake, Hudson, Jace, and Ivy.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald.
Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, October 2, 2016, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Service: 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2016, at the funeral home, which will be officiated by Pastor Keith Nester of First United Methodist Church, Marion. Burial will be at Oak Shade Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Please share a memory of Dick at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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