Donald Spencer

Donald L. Spencer was a strong man in every sense of the word. He worked hard, often laboring with his hands; he was strong-willed; competitive; and tough of character. At the same time his grandchildren could melt his heart, nature would make him pause, and special occasions brought out his best.

Donald was born at a time when families were intent on making life pleasant in the midst of hard conditions. Because of the Depression, money was scarce so people did what they could to make their lives happy. Movies were hot and parlor games and board games were popular. People gathered around radios to listen to baseball, and young people danced to the big bands. As political matters were stirring in Europe , Franklin Roosevelt sought to inspire Americans with his Fireside Chats. Joy filled the home of Hugh and Ethel Spencer on January 2, 1931 when they welcomed their son Don into their hearts and lives. With what would eventually be five children in the home, the Spencer family was busy with work and school and play. Never mind that they were distant relatives of Princess Dianna Spencer, they got on with life in Prairie Rhonde Township . Ethel Spencer taught school and Hugh was a factory worker and never let his blindness impede his activities. He learned to cut the grass with a riding lawnmower. Such ability and perseverance were perhaps the inspiration Don took into his own work life when he became a professional electrician and hobby woodworker and builder.

In high school, Don put his competitive spirit to work on the football and basketball teams. After graduation from Plainwell High, he brought his skills as a mechanic to the Air Force. Don served his country for four years during the Korean Conflict, after which he worked as an electrician.

The year 1977 was a difficult one for Don. First his father died and only 2 short weeks later his mother died. Sadly, that same year his oldest daughter Carole died at the young age of 17. Carole was planning her wedding for later that year with Louie Stoneburner who always remained a close friend.

Don first employed by Moore Electric, Don then worked for the Local Union as an electrician for over thirty years. He was also the Cooper Township Electrical Inspector from 1979-81. Perhaps it was because he had worked on or inspected the homes of so many others that Don just had to build his own. In fact, he would build four homes to his liking and specifications, the last of which was completed in 1985. It's true what his family says:

Don never could sit still. Even in retirement, he'd put work boots on with his shorts. He never minded what he looked like (or what people saw) when he worked.

Hard work may have been the order of the day for Don, but his life wasn't without the joy of love. In January of 1979, Don met Shirley Johnson in Cooper at the IGA store, where she worked as a head cashier. It was love at first sight. He begged for her phone number and teased everyone later that Shirley wouldn't let him have his groceries until she gave him her phone number. That first phone call lasted forty-five minutes and netted Don a date. On their first date, he took Shirley and her daughter to the Stage Coach restaurant. By the second date, he told Shirley he loved her. And it was on Shirley's birthday, April 5th, that Don proposed to her and they were married on July 20th of that year. Until the births of his grandchildren, that day stood alone as the greatest day of his life. Family and friends came together, not only to enjoy the wedding but to be a part of it. Don and Shirley had all their kids stand up for them and Don's friend Louie was his best man and best friend.

This whirlwind romance was topped off with a honeymoon cruise on the Caribbean . And for the first year after they were married, Don bought Shirley something special on their date every month. These little celebrations added up to a grand party by the time their Twenty-fifth Anniversary. On that day, Don and Shirley threw a party in town before they headed up north to the casino and took a train to their son Ken's home. Special occasions seemed to bring out Don's best.

Don and Shirley's blended family included four children: Kimberly, Shereen, Daniel, and Kenneth and the family enjoyed sports, games, and fishing. Perhaps they became football and basketball fans like Don. They probably all got a lesson in woodworking and gardening. Don was always eager to teach anyone everything they needed to know about making or fixing things. And the fruit and veggie stand from the family garden didn't net $2500 without a lot of hands doing a lot of work. Nor did the yard earn "the greenest lawn in the neighborhood" status without Don's energy that never seemed to quit. He and Shirley managed some mobile home parks in the Pentwater area until her health declined and the Stadium Drive West Mobile Home Park from 2000-2003 until his health no longer permitted. When Don found out he had prostate cancer and congestive heart disease on February 28, 1995, they moved to Evergreen Apartments. Before moving in, he bought the tools he had sold when he retired so that he could once again set up a complete woodworking shop.

Don was always on the go. In retirement, traveling in their R.V. took the spotlight. They headed out west, to the U.P, and down south. They bought memberships in parks near Orlando and spent their winters in Florida . They would park their R.V. in the front yard of their old house which they had sold to their daughter. Not one to sit still even during his leisure years, Don played shuffle board, pool, and cards. Being as competitive as he was, he never lost or it was never his fault if he did. Everywhere Don went, he was meeting people and making friends and having fun.

Though always active, some things seemed to still Don--the falling snow and gentle rain. He enjoyed watching the change in weather, perhaps because there was nothing he could "do" but let it come and quiet the earth or nourish the land. He could spend long moments watching fish in an aquarium, and sometimes he just played armchair coach to his favorite football and basketball teams. He would have had good viewing these past two years with his good old Pistons.

Don Spencer was a man whose eagerness for life was matched by his stern character. He got much out of life and gave much more. He will be missed by all those who have loved and lost a family member and friend.

Don died July 16, 2005. He was born January 2, 1931 in Prairie Rhonde Township , the son of Hugh and Ethel (Cannon) Spencer. A graveside service will be held Thursday 2:00 PM at Ft. Custer National Cemetery . Don was a veteran of the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was an electrician and retired from I.B.E.W. Local 131. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carole Spencer and by two brothers: James and Richard Spencer. Surviving are his wife Shirley Spencer of 26 years; four children: Kimberly Brosz of Allegan, Shereen (Dwayne) Munson of Portage; Daniel (Janet) Johnson of Richland, Kenneth (Helen) Johnson of York, PA, five grandchildren; two sisters: Beverly (Charles) Hayward of Zephyrhills, FL; Phyllis (Robert) Hatten of Mears and many nieces and nephews. To read Don's complete life story, archive a favorite memory, or make memorial contributions directed to the family, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive, West of US-131, 375-2900