Edabelle Elizabeth Speakman, 84, of Springfield died Monday, February 18, 2008 in Heartland of Urbana, where she had resided for the past year.

She was born February 28, 1923 in Xenia, Ohio the daughter of Russell E. and Vesta (Hickman) Halstead.

Edabelle was a 1940 graduate of Xenia High School and earned her Bachelor's Degree from Wittenberg in 1944. During the mid 1940's she traveled the Eastern United States playing bassoon in an all-girl orchestra. In the late 40's, her father moved his Veterinary Practice and his family to Husted, Ohio and Edabelle has been a Springfield area resident most of the time since then. In 1952 she married Robert E. Speakman and together they spent 54 years, until his death in 2006. Mrs. Speakman began her career as a Music teacher in the Hardin-Houston School District, moved to the Christiansburg-Jackson District, came to Springfield and taught at Town and Country Day School and retired from Springfield City Schools in 1981. She was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Altrusa Club.

She is survived by three first cousins John S. Hickman and wife Pamela of Quincy, Ohio, Annalee Allendorph and husband Lewie, Margaret Radebaugh and husband Russell all of Fort Wayne, Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; special friends Linda Lininger and Cheryl Clos.

Friends may call Friday from 12 Noon until 2:00 PM. in the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 PM. in the Memorial Home with Pastor Daniel M. Powell officiating. Interment will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Logan County Humane Society.