Myrtle Marie “Mert” (Speakes) Agnew, age 78 of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Odin Health and Rehab in Odin. Mert was a member of Open Arms Fellowship Church in Salem. She worked for the Salem Times Commoner as a bookkeeper from 1978 until her retirement on May 9, 2014. She enjoyed crafting and giving items to many friends. She loved animals and contributed to many societies.
Private family services will be held. Online condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com. Crouse Funeral Home in Salem is assisting the family with arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Harold Griffin and Danny Griffin, both of Salem; brother, Charles Riley Speakes Jr. and wife Jenny of Pacific, MO; sister, Mary Ellen Ashworth of Pacific, MO; and sister-in-law, Linnie Speakes of Evansville, IN; three grandchildren, Jennifer Ramirez, Christopher Griffin, and Noah Griffin; three great-grandchildren, Zoey Barringer, Fabian Ramirez, and Xavier Barringer; and several nieces and nephews.
Mert was born on January 6, 1944 in St. Clair, Missouri, the daughter of Charles Riley and Josie Ellen (Payton) Speakes. She married Alfred E. “Al” Agnew on August 28, 1993 in Salem and he preceded her in death on July 23, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Pleasant Speakes, killed in WWII, Elmer Speakes, and John Speakes; four sisters, Liza Speakes, Daisy Kopf, Sabret Sansocie and one still born sister.
