Gordon R. Speck

Gordon R. Speck, 81, of Waterloo, died Oct. 10, 2016, in Waterloo.

He was born Feb. 22, 1935, in Cairo, son of the late Martin and Grace Speck (nee Bogle).

Gordon grew up in Cairo, a life-long friend of his future wife, Gelea. They graduated from Cairo High together in 1953.

During the Korean War, Gordon served in the U.S. Air Force doing intelligence work in Poland. After the service, he attended the University of Missouri on the GI Bill and earned a degree in English.

An avid collector of books, he was a 30-year member of The Baker Street Irregulars, an invitation-only international society of some 300 members who study and promote the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Gordon was also a past associate editor of the Baker Street Journal.

He belonged to The Occupants of the Empty House, Parallel Case, The Handsomes of John Clayton, and The Noble Bachelors – all area Sherlock Holmes societies. Together, Gordon and Gelea spent summers traveling and enjoyed trips to Europe, Asia, South America and most of the United States.

He is survived by his wife, Gelea Speck (nee Karraker); children Blaze (Rhonda) Morris, Kelly (Rick) Shilliday, Robin (Clay) Siedle, Tracey Morris, Lance (Mary) Morris, Candace (Karl) Buckman, and Shaleen (Kevin) Grabill; grandchildren Aubrey (Sean) O’Riley, Kayla (David) Keeney, Jacob Morris, Coley (Jeff) Hoffmann, Austin Morris, Sophie Morris, and Zach and Isaac Buckman; great-grandchildren; and nephew Van (Darrean) Trimble.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sandra Trimble.

A memorial visitation will be Oct. 13, from 4-8 p.m., and Oct. 14, from 10-11 a.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

A memorial service will be Oct. 14, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home, Pastor Merlyn Lawrence officiating.