1916
Ercelle
2010
Ercelle E. Speaks
June 5, 1916 — March 9, 2010
Ercelle Elaine Speaks was born on June 5, 1916 on her parents' farm northeast of Beloit, the oldest daughter of Alonzo Jerome "Rome" and Idonia Lizzy Lagergren Davis. Surrounded by her family, she died Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit at the age of 93, one day after her son, Dean died.
She grew up in the Beloit area and attended Plum Creek School. The family later moved near Glasco, where she attended and graduated from Glasco Middle School. They later moved near Cawker City, where she attended and graduated from Cawker City High School in 1934.
Following graduation, Er
celle went to work in Beloit helping with housework, where she met her future husband, David Wilson Speaks. On June 30, 1936, they were united in marriage. Four children were born to this union, Larry, Diana, Kay, and Dean.
In 1939, Ercelle and David bought their home and the Beloit Candy Company from Mr. and Mrs. Cross. They continued to run the business until selling it in 1974.
Ercelle was a charter member of the Beloit VFW Auxiliary and the Ladies Encampment Auxiliary, and she helped organize the Cloverleaf 4-H club. She has been National President of the LGAR, receiving the Decoration of Chivalry Jewell from the Rebekah Lodge, a statuette for her outstanding work with the Girl Scouts, and the Loyalty Award for work in the community and with the youth. She was a member of the First Christian Church.
Ercelle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David; two brothers, Duane and Lowell; one sister, Dorine; two sons, Larry and Dean; and one daughter, Diana.
She is survived by her daughter, Kay Zachgo and husband Joe of Sylvan Grove; two granddaughters, Carla Zachgo of Oklahoma City and Cynthia Wilkison of Denmark; one grandson, Jeremiah Zachgo of Lincoln; one sister, Erma Morris of Wichita; 3 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday at First Christian Church with Pastor Cliff Heagy officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Girl Scouts. Ercelle will lie in state along with her son Dean Speaks from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home.
She grew up in the Beloit area and attended Plum Creek School. The family later moved near Glasco, where she attended and graduated from Glasco Middle School. They later moved near Cawker City, where she attended and graduated from Cawker City High School in 1934.
Following graduation, Er
celle went to work in Beloit helping with housework, where she met her future husband, David Wilson Speaks. On June 30, 1936, they were united in marriage. Four children were born to this union, Larry, Diana, Kay, and Dean.
In 1939, Ercelle and David bought their home and the Beloit Candy Company from Mr. and Mrs. Cross. They continued to run the business until selling it in 1974.
Ercelle was a charter member of the Beloit VFW Auxiliary and the Ladies Encampment Auxiliary, and she helped organize the Cloverleaf 4-H club. She has been National President of the LGAR, receiving the Decoration of Chivalry Jewell from the Rebekah Lodge, a statuette for her outstanding work with the Girl Scouts, and the Loyalty Award for work in the community and with the youth. She was a member of the First Christian Church.
Ercelle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David; two brothers, Duane and Lowell; one sister, Dorine; two sons, Larry and Dean; and one daughter, Diana.
She is survived by her daughter, Kay Zachgo and husband Joe of Sylvan Grove; two granddaughters, Carla Zachgo of Oklahoma City and Cynthia Wilkison of Denmark; one grandson, Jeremiah Zachgo of Lincoln; one sister, Erma Morris of Wichita; 3 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday at First Christian Church with Pastor Cliff Heagy officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Girl Scouts. Ercelle will lie in state along with her son Dean Speaks from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home.
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