Gus T. Spears

Gus Spears (Kostas Speropoulos), 92, of Glenview, Illinois, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Tripolis, Greece on September 16, 1930 to the late Theodoros and Marika Speropoulos. At the age of 21, Gus came to the U.S. His first job was in the mailroom at the Palmer House Hilton hotel in Chicago. He was a proud veteran, having joined the Army in 1952, serving at Fort Seale Oklahoma, where he worked as an industrial X-ray technician. He later worked as an X-ray technician at Cook County Hospital, Ford Motor Company and Martin Marietta in Denver. Throughout his career, Gus was an entrepreneur, involved in several successful business ventures. In 1976, he and his brother, Jim acquired Mello’s Peanut Company, which they co-owned until his retirement in 2001.

In August 1959, Gus and his beloved wife, Koula, were married in Greece. He was grateful and felt blessed to share 63 years of his life with her. His greatest joy was spending time with his daughters and three grandchildren, who he adored beyond measure, and many dear relatives and friends. He loved hosting parties, playing cards with friends and spending summers in Greece. Gus had many talents and interests including portrait drawing, painting and playing musical instruments. He loved ballroom and traditional Greek dancing. In his retirement years, he was an amateur winemaker with several of his close friends. He was honest, intelligent, humble, charismatic and well-known for his witty sense of humor. As the patriarch and rock of the family, he generously provided for his family. He anticipated the needs of relatives and friends and extended his generosity to them in their times of need.

Gus Spears is survived by his beloved wife Koula Spears (Berles), his daughters Maria Spears and Harriet (Jon) Tatooles, grandchildren Kevin, Julia and William, his sister Olympia (the late Kostas) Fili, his brother-in-law Vasilios (Dimitra) Berles, sister-in-law Nina (Manolis) Toumpakaris, and his dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, in-laws Apostolos and Harikleia Berles, sisters-in-law Niki Berles and Helen (the late Nick) Kanellopoulos. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Niles, IL (saintharalambosgoc.org) and mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 11AM at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N. Caldwell Ave., Niles, IL 60714. Interment will follow at Ridgewood Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the church from 10AM until the time of service. Arrangements by Demeros Funeral and Cremation Services. For information, please call 847-302-7176