David L. Spaulding

David Lee Spaulding passed away peacefully on April 26, 2022 at the age of 88. He was born August 2, 1933 in Grand Rapids to the late Theron and Helen (Feutz) Spaulding. He graduated from Rockford High School in 1951. He married Dorothy (Dorrell) Spaulding in 1954 and they moved from Grand Rapids to Morley where they raised their family. Dave made a wonderful life for his wife and four children and he worked tirelessly to provide the best possible life for them. He worked for Meijer distribution centers for 41 years as a semi driver and inventory control coordinator. He commuted to work on a daily basis and after a long day would be sitting in the parking lot of Morley Stanwood schools patiently waiting for his four kids to finish their after school sports activities. He and Dorothy also had a small 50 acre farm where they raised cattle, horses and a variety of critters in order to keep the kids involved in 4-H and out of trouble. We don’t remember our father relaxing too much as there was always animals to tend to, fences to fix, equipment to work on and horse shows to attend. He sacrificed much for his family and we worked hard to repay his kindness in his twilight years. Dad is a 3 time cancer survivor, a widow maker heart attack survivor at age 85 and struggled with COPD for 25 plus years. His oncologists and cardiologists always shook their heads in amazement as to his longevity. Dave never met a stranger and had the best dry wit and sense of humor you could ask for. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dottie (Dort – as he affectionately called her); sisters, Marian and Norma; step brother, Kendall. He is survived by his four children, Deb Spaulding, Rick (Tori) Spaulding, Sue (Tony) Snavley, Michael Scott (Denise) Spaulding; a very special granddaughter, Kerri Anne and stepbrother, Larry Betteridge; 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews to share hundreds of stories about the laid back man of honesty and integrity. He loved and adored his grandchildren and was very proud of each and every one of them. Family and friends are welcome to attend a brief graveside service 11:00 am Monday, May 2 at Blythefield Memory Gardens. Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating. Memorial contributions to Spectrum Health Hospice. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.