Published: November 24, 2009 11:00 am      

Arnold Speaks

obituaries

Arnold “Pig” Speaks, 62, of the Whetstone community of Pulaski County, Ky., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

He was born on Aug. 29, 1947, in Somerset, Ky., to the late Oscar and Zella Hash Speaks, who lived in the Ano community of Somerset. Arnold spent most of his life in Kentucky.

He served in the United States Army from 1966-1968 and then moved to Franklin, Ind., where he was employed as a pressman for a newspaper, and then he moved back to Somerset in 1976. Mr. Speaks worked for Ikerd-Bandy Coal Company and then was employed for Shiloh John Deere. He was a mechanic for most of his jobs.

He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He had his pilot license, one of his most treasured accomplishments. He loved truck pulling, and his fishing was mostly sitting on pond dams with his special “friend” and grandchildren. He also enjoyed NASCAR racing and woodworking. He would say, “Look what I made.” Mr. Speaks was a member of the American Legion Post #38 of Somerset and attended the Whetstone Baptist Church.

Arnold leaves behind his wife, Lucille Erp Speaks, whom he married on Aug. 27, 1966; one daughter, Jeanne Rene Taylor; two very special “loves of his life” grandchildren, Mariea Faith and Dylan Cole; and a son-in-law, Lonnie Taylor, who fulfilled all the needs and wants he missed out on by not having a son. He is also survived by three brothers, J.T. (and Sharon) and Conway (and Mary Dean), both of Somerset, and Doyle (and Marion) of McMinnville, Tenn.; and three sisters, Marilyn Speaks, Bonnie (and Jackie) Hansford, both of Somerset, and Betty “Pat” (and Dennis) Hale of St. Petersburg, Fla. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and some very special close friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Oscar and Zella Hash Speaks; two brothers, Kenneth Speaks and Edwin Speaks; and three sisters, Mildred Burdsall, Edith Smith, and Faye Whitaker.

Visitation will be today, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. at Lake Cumberland Funeral Home, 1046 West Highway 80, Somerset.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Lake Cumberland Funeral Home with Bro. Lonnie Sewell and Bro. Eugene Tarter officiating.

Burial will be in the Whetstone Cemetery. The American Legion Post #38 Honor Guard will conduct full military honors.