Lillian Speer

L. Ruth Workman Speer, 97, Vincennes, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at her Ridgeway Avenue home. Born September 16, 1914, in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Johannah (Kanski) and Bliss Clemens Workman.She graduated from Andrew School for Girls in Willoughby, Ohio and later graduated from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Case Western Reserve, she worked for Standard Oil of Ohio. She joined the U. S. Army as a finance officer where she met her husband, Thomas E. Speer, Jr. He preceded her in death on June 1, 1983. A sister, Lucille Hunter of Prescott, Arizona died November 1, 2011 at age 100.Mrs. Speer is survived by one sister Ethel O'Neal of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by two daughters, Martha E. Harden, with whom Ruth had lived for the past 22 years, and Marigay (Mark) Hill. Also, surviving are 3 grandchildren, Amanda Salters (Timothy), Mitchell Harden (Mary) and Dr. Adam Hill (Lauren). Ruth is survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Logan Hamm, Colette Salters, Alice Fisher and Rhys Harden.Mrs. Speer was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vincennes. She was an avid bridge player. She was a volunteer with the Pink Ladies organization of Good Samaritan Hospital and a member of the Fortnightly Club, where she had been a past president. Mrs. Speer was a founding member of the Vincennes Garden Club. She was a member of the Knox County Mental Health Association and the Knox County Humane Society. Mrs. Speer started the Vincennes Community School Lunch Program in the early 1960's. In 1964 she joined the Holiday Inn organization where she served first as Restaurant Manager and later innkeeper for 15 years.The family will receive visitors from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11th at Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway St. A public service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Private graveside services will be held at the Tower Mausoleum in Memorial Park Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Knox County Humane Society (P.O. Box 64, Vincennes, IN) or Good Samaritan Hospice (520 S. 7th, Vincennes, IN).The family would like to acknowledge Ruth's caregivers for the past several years, Edith McMillin and Spiritwoman Greywolf.Online condolences may be sent through www.goodwinfamilyfh.com