Harrel Speer, 77, Peculiar, Missouri, died Monday, June 16, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville with burial in Peculiar Cemetery in Peculiar, Missouri. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 19 at the Atkinson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Mid-America Chapter, 6811 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 202, Cloverleaf Building. 1, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202 (www.LLS.org).

Harrel was born October 8, 1936 in Booneville, Arkansas, the son of Sam Lee and Lillian (Cole) Speer. He was a 1956 graduate of Peculiar High School. He married Beverly Ann Pihl on June 2, 1958 at the United Methodist Church in Peculiar, where he was a member. Harrel owned Speer Backhoe Service in Peculiar. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, being outdoors, playing cards and spending time with his family.

Harrel was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Shannon Speer, and his wife, Beverly (February 20, 2007). He is survived by one son, Rick Speer and wife, Tina, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two daughters, Debbie Shillings and Brenda Speer, both of Peculiar, Missouri; two brothers, Donald W. Speer and wife, Pat Shanks, Harrisonville, Missouri and Dennis Speer and wife, Peggy, Belton, Missouri; two sisters, Coleene DeBrot, Peculiar, Missouri and JoEtta Fraser and husband, Don, Richardson, Texas; and 4 grandchildren, Kyle Shillings, Kanyon Speer, Paige Speer and Cal Shillings.