Van L. Speers; 75; member of the
second generation of the widely
known family from which the borough
of Speers takes its name; died
Tuesday night;September 20;1938; at 7:50 o’clock after an
illness of six weeks. Unable to take
adequate nourishment for five weeks and suffering from complications his
death was not entirely unexpected.
Several years ago he underwent an
operation for amputation of a foot
and has been declining since that
time. In the multiple of burdens
which fell upon him; he suffered the
loss of his wife who died on May 11. They would have celebraed their fiftieth wedding anniversary next December. A dual cast of tragedy interposed too;for Mr.Speers was preceded in death by his brother-in-law;Robert E.McClain;63;of Belle Vernon;early Tuesday;September 20;1938. Born September 27;1863;Van Speers lived in the community which bore his name all of his life. His father was Noah Speers who founded the Speers community and today the progeny is in its fifth generation. Surviving are five sons and two daughters;Mrs.Roy (Sarah) Lorimer of Painesville;Ohio;Dr.Stephen Speers of Belle Vernon;Roy of Sandusky;John L.of Cleveland;Alden and S.Ward Speers of Speers and Mrs.Douglas A.(Rebecca) Schoerke of Petrolia. Two children are dead. A brother Fred Speers of Belle Vernon;18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive. Mr.Speers was a member of Washngton Avenue Presbyterian Church in Charleroi and served for a while on Speers council. Funeral services will be held at the home of a son;Ward Speers;in Speers borough;at 2:30 o’clock;Friday afternoon;September 23;1938. Rev. Frank Montgomery;pastor of the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church and Rev.John R.Bursol;a fromer pastor of the church will be in charge. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.