Orville Raymond Speckmann was born to William and Lillian (Branek) Speckmann on April 10, 1940 at his parent’s home in Tecumseh, Nebraska. At the age of 4, the family moved to a farm 2 ½ miles west of Tecumseh. He attended Hedge Corner country school District #73 from 1st through 8th grade, graduating from Tecumseh High School in May of 1958. He was baptized into the Catholic faith by Father Thomas Barden and confirmed in the fall of 1953 by Bishop Kucera. His sponsor was Clarence Obrist and he took the Saints name of John.

After high school, Orville enlisted in the US Navy for 4 years from Feb. 1959, until his separation from active duty in Feb. 1963. His duty station was the USS Maddox DD731, home ported in Long Beach, CA. They made two cruises to the western Pacific for a total of 13 ½ months overseas, including Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, Hong Kong and the Philippines. After his military service, Orville started farming with his parents and purchased their farm in 1963. He enjoyed crop farming, raising cattle and had sheep for 33 years. During this time, he also worked in Tecumseh for James Oil Company for 10 years, Jack and Jill Grocery for 1 ½ years and 27 years for the Johnson County Roads Department as a heavy equipment operator. He retired from the Roads Dept. in June of 2003. Orville learned to play the accordion at the age of 11 and enjoyed playing for residents of nursing homes and other functions for many years.

On May 31, 1966, Orville married Linda Bailey and they made their home on the farm. Two children were born to this union, Kristine Renae and John Leonard.

When his health declined, he became a resident of Good Samaritan Center in Beatrice, Nebraska. He passed away there Monday, September 14, 2026 at the age of 86 years.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda, daughter Kristine Putz and husband Matthew, son John Speckmann and partner Jana Kendall, grandchildren, Koty Risser and husband Brad, Sara Putz, Billy Speckmann and wife Casey, William, Bree Ann and James Speckmann, great-grandchildren Eliza Marshall, Ruby Hunter and Aiden Park and 2 great-grandchildren on the way, sister-in-law Vera Speckmann Ebeler and husband Ron, nieces and nephews.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alvin Speckmann, step-father Alvin Bray and daughter-in-law Cheri Speckmann.

Mass of Christian Burial Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2026 at the St. Andrew Parish Hall in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Father Christopher Kubat officiating. Organist, C.J. Lamb-Evans accompanied vocalist David Keaton as he sang, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and congregational hymns, “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Pallbearers were John Speckmann, Keith Speckmann, Dale Speckmann, Billy Speckmann, James Speckmann and Matthew Putz.

Interment was in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska with full military honors by the Tecumseh VFW and American Legion Post and the Navy Funeral Honors Team. Memorials may go to the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery. Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.