Ronald J. Speck

Ronald Speck, known as an amazing, kind-hearted, selfless man, went home to the Lord on February 19th, 2025.  He was born on June 29th, 1949 in Cleveland to John and Loretta (Walter) Speck.  They moved to Brunswick, Ohio where he grew up and graduated from high school.  He attended Kent State University, majoring in Journalism.  He was present on May 4th, 1970 during the infamous shootings and had to dodge bullets as he left class.  He later moved to Barberton, Ohio and married the love of his life, Karen (Conrad) on June 14th, 1975.  They met at a beauty pageant that she competed in and the rest is history.  They were married for 37 years until she unfortunately passed of breast cancer on September 17th, 2012.  He was never the same after losing his best friend, but he did his best to keep on living and trying to find joy in the little things.  His first career was journalism and he worked for the Barberton Herald until he was hired by the City of Barberton, where he worked for the Street Department.  He later transferred to the Water Treatment Plant, where he was an Operator until retiring in 2012.  He loved working for the city and had so many great friendships because of his time there.  He was a member of St. Cyril and Methodius Church until its closing and then attended St. Augustine Church.  He would help decorate for the holidays and volunteer his time with the church.  He held his faith close to his heart and upon his decline asked for a cross and prayed with friends, mouthing the Hail Mary even when he could no longer speak. His patron saint was St. Anthony and he called upon him often during his times of need.

Preceded in death by both his father and mother. He is survived by his sister, Lynn (Robert) Forsythe of Medina, nieces and nephews, Joanna Richmond of Brunswick, Jennifer (John) Phelan of North Ridgeville, Shannon (David) Conrad Wokojance of Norton, Jacob (Kirsten) Conrad of Norton, Nichole (Joseph) Durant of Norton, Emily Conrad of Barberton, and Alexander Sapp of Springfield Township; great nephews and nieces, Cameron and Paige Richmond and Chloe and Cooper Phelan, Fynley, Augustine, Gwen, and Ezekiel Wokojance, Layden Creel, Charles, Henry, and Jasper Conrad, and Zoey Durant. He will forever be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Ron's Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 204 Sixth St. NW., Barberton. Burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Calling Hours, Monday from 5-7 p.m. at the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton.