James "Jim" G. Speck

James “Jim” G. Speck, 80, of Sioux City, Iowa, died Tuesday, September 18th at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.  

Jim was born on February 5th, 1938 in Lebanon, PA to German and Pauline (Simmers) Speck. He graduated from Annville, PA High School in 1957 and served in the United States Navy Reserves from 1957 - 1962

Jim married Mary Ellen Craven in Sioux Falls, SD on August 28th, 1970.

Jim’s ham operator license during his youth resulted in the Navy focusing his duties to include radio operator and repair while serving. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim relocated to Iowa.  In his early days in Sioux City, Jim was actively involved in the long-haul trucking industry as at freight broker.  Jim’s radio background and the need to be on-call for the freight business made Jim an early adopter of 60s car cell phone technology.  

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Jim enjoyed hunting and fly fishing, learning to tie flies with his father.  Jim’s passion for the outdoors lead him on hunting trips to Montana and the Northwest Territory.  It was that same passion of the outdoors that steered him away from an office into the cattle and fencing business.  He enjoyed moving his cattle from pasture to pasture down Iowa backroads, one of them made newspapers in Sioux City and Dallas TX.  He loved spending time with his family and friends who will recall many of his stories and perhaps having heard them more than once.  Friends, family and his dogs all enjoyed Jim’s engagement and sincere straight-talking discussions.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, numerous aunts and uncles and his son-in-law, Charles Schoffstall.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Ellen, his sister Carole (Fred) Frattaroli of Annville, PA, his daughter Kim Schoffstall of Lebanon PA; two granddaughters and five great grandchildren; brothers-in-law: Dr. John Craven (Anthea) of Fairbanks AK and Joe Craven (Locke) of Centennial, CO; seven nieces and nephews; and his dog Nell.

The family wants to send a sincere thank you to the Holy Spirit Retirement Center for the loving care they provided Jim over the past eleven months.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com