Larry M. Speaks

Larry M. Speaks, age 82, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at home, while surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Born in Thurston, OH on September 20, 1935, Larry was a son of the late Ralph and Kate (Broyles) Speaks. He made his career with the former Gaylord Container Corp., in Newark, where he retired as Maintenance Superintendent in 1996 after 42 years of dedicated service. Larry entered into masonry on December 26, 1956 and was raised to the degree of Master Mason on February 20, 1957 in the Pleasant Valley Lodge #531 in Pleasantville, Ohio. He then affiliated with Solomon Lodge #36 in Newark, DE on September 9, 1998. Larry was also a longtime member of Knights Templar of Delaware St. John’s Commandery No. 1, Washington and Lafayette Chapter No. 1 of the Royal Arch Masons of Delaware, and the Nur Shrine Temple. Active in his community, Larry served the Solomon Lodge #36 as Tiler from 2002 “ 2015. He also served on the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles from 1998 “ 2015, serving a total of 116 hours, mostly with his wife Marjorie. He received the Grand Lodge Award of Honor in 2012. He valued and cared for his family, and was known for telling stories and making jokes. He enjoyed riding his scooter and going out to lunch. In his younger days he was an avid goose hunter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Speaks, as well as his brothers and sisters Martin, Zoe, Forkey, Ruth, Katie, Keith, Lee, and Gene. Larry is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marjorie E. (Shrieve) Speaks; daughters, Kathryn Lohr (Martin) of Grand Prairie, TX and Terri Dalton (Richard) of Newark; brother, Lyle Speaks (Salle) of Baltimore, OH; grandchildren, Heather, Kyle, Adriane, and Chad; and great grandchildren, George, Phoebe, Erik, Edison, and Layla. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Tuesday morning, October 24, 2017, in the chapel of Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a Masonic Service will begin at 11:00 am. Inurnment will follow in the adjoining memorial park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Larry’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 308, Wilmington, DE 19899 or to a charity of your choice.