DeWayne “Speck”  DeByle

    DeByle
  

DeWayne “Speck” DeByle passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Dec. 24, 2025. Speck was born April 2, 1933 in Rhinelander to Mabel and Murly DeByle.

Speck was a lifelong resident of Rhinelander, attending school and graduating from Rhinelander High School in 1951. He attained a degree in business from Northland College in Ashland and then returned to Rhinelander to work as the third generation in the family business, DeByle’s Clothing, after graduating college.

He grew the clothing business to five stores in northern Wisconsin. He was always innovating and finding new things to sell in his stores. Speck was not satisfied just being a “rag salesman” as his entrepreneurial spirit moved him into commercial real estate. His eye for design and his drive to have the best properties was capped with the Rhinelander Depot renovation where he maintained his own office until 2024.

In addition to a love for family and business, Speck had a passion for trap shooting, scoring 100 straight targets more times than one can count, deer and duck hunting at Beaver Creek Farm from 1980 through 2025, the Rhinelander Hodag Sport and Gun Club, the Green Bay Packers and most of all discussing the issue of the day with his friends and family (each one had an endearing nickname), be it community affairs, politics, the stock market or the outdoors.

Speck married his high school sweetheart, Janet Cleary in 1953 and they had four children Luanne Balinski, Lake Mohawk, N.J., Kathy (Terry) Miller Saint Paul, Minn., Jean (Steve) Dietz, Dataw Island, S.C. and Tom (Lisa) DeByle, Windham, N.H., 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Speck was preceded in death by his wife and parents and his sister Diane Pokrandt. He is survived by all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Speck will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Carlson Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial for local charities is being established in Speck’s name and any gifts may be directed to his family. You may also leave your private condolences for the DeByle family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the DeByle family.