Beryl Winifred Martinez (Speke)

KINGSLEY, Iowa -- Beryl Winifred (Speke) Martinez, 86, of Kingsley, formerly of Denver, Colo., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at Kingsley Nursing and Rehab Center.

In accordance with her wishes, the body was cremated. Memorial services will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of McCulloch Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Moville, Iowa. Condolences may be sent online to www.christysmith.com .

Beryl was the daughter of the late William and Alice (Corfield) Speke. She graduated from Moville High School in 1938 and continued her education at Wayne State Teachers College in Wayne, Neb. She taught country school for several years around the Moville area after graduating from college.

She moved to Denver, Colo., where she met and later married Bill Martinez on June 24, 1944, at St. Martin's Chapel of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Denver. While in Denver, she taught school for many years at Graland Country Day School until her retirement. Bill died March 24, 2005, in Denver. Shortly after his death, she moved back to Iowa.

She enjoyed corresponding with family and friends through writing and phone calls.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Martinez of Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews that she remained close to.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; two sisters and their husbands, Lillian and Darrell Wilson and Doris and Dale Weaver; a brother and his wife, Robert and Miriam Speke; a brother-in-law, Jules Martinez; and a nephew, Evan Wilson.