Bessie M. Speer, 72, of Butlerville passed away at 8:35 AM Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at The Waters of Clifty in Madison.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, July 2, 2016, at 7:00 PM at Sawyer – Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service. Rev. Tom Mattingly will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until the time of the service.

Born April 21, 1944, Bessie was the daughter of Arthur and Doris Pryor Lachman. She married John Speer in 1961. He preceded her in death on August 24, 2005.

Bessie owned and operated the Rochester Toll Ferry in Rochester, KY for twenty-four years. She was also a weather observer for the National Weather Service in Louisville for many years. She was a member of Graham Baptist Church.

She is survived by sons, Ty (Sara) Speer and Troy (Brenda) Speer of Butlerville, Sam (Charlotte) Speer of Bowling Green, KY; one brother, Sam Lachmann of WA; sisters, Emma Feasel of Fortville, and Augusta Harper of North Vernon; grandchildren, Johnathan and Joeseph Speer; one step-grandchild, Crystal Borden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter, Jennifer Jill Speer.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Our Hospice of Jennings County, or Graham Baptist Church