BERNARD "BERNIE" SPEER, 88, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Wednesday night, July 11, 2012 at Good Samaritan Village.

Born at home in Dexter on December 8, 1923, he was the son of William and Ruth (Waite) Speer. He was raised and educated in Dexter, graduating Dexter High School in 1941.

Right after high school Bernie was drafted in the United States Army. He served over a year and a half overseas in the Philippines. He earned a Purple Heart and returned home safely following WWII.

He was united in marriage to Gwendolyn (Arline) Schwantes on September 6, 1950 in Winfield. The couple made their home in Winfield. Bernie ran a gas station for a number of years before working at Cessna. He was there for over thirty years first in sheet metal and later worked as a flight line mechanic.

Mr. Speer loved to hunt, travel, spend time in his vegetable garden and tinker with his tractor.

His family includes:
His wife: Arline Speer of Winfield;
His son: Monty Speer and wife, Teresa of Burden;
His daughter: Becky Brookings and husband, Johnnie of Udall;
His brother: Jack Speer and wife, Mildred of Arkansas City;
His grandchildren: Rachel Skov and husband, Sean, Robin Marshall, Patricia Campbell and husband, Collin, Jessi Ackerman and husband, Jason and Rod Bonesteel and wife, Brandi;
His great grandchildren: Braden, Rylee, Hallie, Ty, Raigan, Michael, Becca, Mason, Lachlan, and one on the way; and
His K9 buddy: Rusty.

In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by his infant son, Larry Joe Speer, his brothers, Cliff, Ed and Howard Speer and his sister, Doris Godfrey.

Graveside Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Sunday afternoon, July 15, 2012 from 1 to 4 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 2:30 to 4.

Memorials are suggested to the American Alzheimer's Association or to the charity of the donor's choice. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.