Joel Thomas Spalsbury

Joel Thomas SpalsburyAge 80, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2015, surrounded by his family.  He was born May 26, 1935, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, to the late Thomas and Daisy Spalsbury, and married Saundra Kimball on October 16, 1954.

He retired from Oldsmobile in 1983 after 30 years of service, and was able to spend 32 happy years of retirement doing the things he loved most: spending time with his family, hunting and deer camp, fishing, cross country skiing, camping, and everything Upper Peninsula.  He will be remembered for his ability to make or fix almost anything, his love and generosity, and his willingness to always help in time of need.  He was an incredible role model for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Saundra; sons, Kim (Kathy),  and Tony (Cindy); daughters, Karin’ (Paul) Mercieca, and April (Bruce) Welton; grandchildren, Jarred and Jenna Spalsbury, Tara Nye, Jonie Hilton, Paige (Nathan Churchill) Spalsbury, Marcy Spalsbury, Tony and Maria Mercieca, Grace, Hope and Blair Steigman; great grandchildren, Jayden, Brynnley and Jameson Spalsbury, Haley and Carson Nye, Ethan Hilton and Trenton Churchill; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by daughter, Shelly; grandson, Joshua Spalsbury; sister, Marlene Pollock; and brother, Jim.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with interment to follow in Delta Center Cemetery.  His family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Sparrow Hospice Services (Hospice House of Mid Michigan and Home Care).  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospice House of Mid Michigan.

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6 Messages to “Joel Thomas Spalsbury

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Anne Newcombe
October 31, 2015 at 10:37 pm

Awwww. I knew this was coming, but it still didn’t make this any easier. When he and Saundra would dance together, you could see how much they loved each other. I’m so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Saundra, wrapping you in a HUGE ((((HUG))).

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Fran DeBar
November 1, 2015 at 9:44 am

I am so sorry to hear of your loss and
pray that God gives you extra strength
at this time.

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Matt and Kelly Maki
November 1, 2015 at 12:51 pm

Dear Saundra, Sending hugs and sympathy to you and your family. You are in our thoughts. Matt, Kelly and Matt Maki

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Dave and Sandy Zinski
November 2, 2015 at 11:30 am

We first met Joe camping at Petes Lake in the Upper Peninsula the summer of 2009. It was a cold and rainy day when we backed into our campsite. After I unhooked and setup our trailer I looked over and saw someone on top of a motor home in a yellow raincoat mopping and kind of singing in the rain. Sandy and I then met Joe and Saundra walking around the campground and told him this story and he said that was him keeping his RV clean. The next day he polishing it too. We enjoyed many summers camping together and looked forward to seeing Joe and Saundra every year. Our granddaughters loved stopping by for cookies from PaPa Joe. We will miss him dearly and we are both heart broken that he has passed. We will always cherish the memories.

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Ken & Pat Hafner Family
November 2, 2015 at 2:31 pm

Dear “Spals”
Our sympathy to you in the loss of your father. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Thanks for all the years you spent as teacher, coach, mentor and father figure to so many kids here in Fowler. May God bless you!

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Tom Clift
November 3, 2015 at 8:22 am

Dear Saundra and family,

I am very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. The years that I got to spend at the farm, in Baldwin, and in the UP hunting with Joe meant more than I could possibly express to all of you. He spent time teaching me about hunting and life. There were several trips where my father was sick and unable to hunt, but Joe would always take me out to make sure I had the opportunity. Joe’s time spent, kindness shown, and straight talk have stayed with me over the years. My thoughts are with all of you today.

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