Philip (Pho) Charles Speer, age 66, of Manhattan, died April 2, 2024, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.
He was born October 12, 1957, in Conneaut, Ohio, the son of Charles and Jeanette (Naylor) Speer. Philip graduated from Conneaut High School. He owned and operated Speer Painting and was a local painter and a member of the Lake Erie Boat Club for many years.
On November 7, 1985, in Manhattan, he was married to Judy Mae Teeter. Judy survives of Manhattan. Additional survivors include 1 sister and 1 brother in Ohio, four daughters: Angila Hulen (Josh) of Manhattan, Starla McPheron-Hall (Darryl) of Overland Park, KS, Crystal McPheron of Junction City, KS, and Christine Weixelman (Sean) of Manhattan; 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He maintained a forty-year friendship with Steve (brother from another mother) McConnell, Bud McCurry, Lovalle Bradley and David (Whiskers) Emme who became family to him.
Phil had a hardcore attitude and spoke his peace, but deep down he was a teddy bear. He married a woman with 3 children that he dearly loved and when a fourth came along he opened his heart to her also. If anyone needed help, he would drop everything to help. He made it possible through a city grant to have a handicap ramp put outside a 90-year-old woman’s house so she could enjoy the outside. When the city wanted her sidewalk brought up to city code, he and his friend Lovalle Bradley replaced it. He helped with various jobs taking little payment. He worked many late hours and weekends to complete paint projects on schedule.
Thirteen years ago, he and his wife started raising three grandchildren he loved fiercely. The last few years he has been fixing the grandchildren breakfast every morning, making sure they took their meds and running them to school and picking them up even though he had a difficult time. He would often treat them to Sonic slushes on Wednesdays and had ice cream on hand fixing special sundaes for them. This is the way he felt he could help the household.
Despite his sarcastic remarks and outrageous past life stories we will greatly miss having him with us.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Pam Bolinger and Mary McCoy.
A Celebration of Philip’s life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.