Allen Clare Spencer, age 87, of Coopersville, MI peacefully entered the eternal gates of heaven with many family members virtually by his side on Friday November 13th, 2020. He is preceded in death by his father Maurice Spencer, his mother Elizabeth (Allen) Spencer, stepmother Emma Spencer, stepsister Artha (Don) Reed and in-laws Wally Clark and Fred Schraegle, Don and Mary Corner, Wally Luce, Louie and Rose Goosen, Mart and Fran Egan.
Allen is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Winnifred “Winnie” Spencer; their nine children Sr. Althea Anne Spencer-OSF, Louann (Arlyn) Doornbos, Roseann (Mike) Sessions, Susanne (Dan) Veeneman, Allen (Lori) Spencer, Patrick (Teresa) Spencer, Troy (Jill) Spencer, Wayne (Jeri) Spencer, Katie (Joe) Walker; his sister Delores “Dee” Schraegle; his brother William (Marilyn) Spencer; stepbrother Lynn (Joyce) Lewis; grandchildren Emily (Jason) DeFouw, Bridgette (Sharky Marin) Veeneman, Jason (Jessica) Doornbos, Erin (Ryan) Smith, Amanda (Adam) Spedoske, Nathan (Adam Hutchens) Veeneman, Gini (Doug Brown) Sessions, Jonathan Doornbos, Jake VanBelzen, Stephanie (Kyle) Branda, David Doornbos, Doug (Heather) Spencer, Hannah Spencer, Elijah Spencer, Sarah Spencer, Cecelia Spencer, Jennah Spencer, Molly Walker, Jack Walker; great-grandchildren Caroline, Collin, Clara and Cora DeFouw; Otis and Cleo Marin; Garrett and Deacon Smith; John, Lily, Matt, Emma, and Andrew Spedoske; Raelynn Spencer; and many nieces and nephews.
Al dedicated over 40 years of his life working at GR Die Cast in Grand Rapids. He also served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. When he wasn’t working in the shop or on the farm you could find Al on Saturday evenings dancing the night away with his wife and best friends Fred and Pat Zimmer; delivering milk early on Sunday mornings; behind home plate on the baseball/softball diamond where he umpired for 52 years; driving charter buses; serving 18 years on the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard; volunteering time to St. Michael’s Catholic Church and his local VFW Post 5598; serving on the River Village board; marching in the Coopersville Memorial Day and Christmas Day parades; cheering on his Coopersville Broncos, Detroit Tigers, Michigan State Spartans, and all of his kids and grandkids games; chauffeuring his many grandkids to and from after school functions; enjoying rounds of golf; playing games of cribbage; or sitting in his favorite lawn chair supervising one of the busiest sidewalks in town. Sunday was Al’s favorite day of the week, church service in the morning and the weekly open-door Sunday Family Dinners at their home in the evening. His smile would light up every room and any lady to get within arms-reach, was greeted with a kiss. Al was a lifetime pillar in the Coopersville Community, he was loved by many, and he will be dearly missed.
Due to Covid-19, a Private Family-Only Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Coopersville. Burial to immediately follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery. In memory and honor of Al Spencer, the Family asks for contributions to be made to the Coopersville VFW Post 5598. A celebration of life with Family and Friends will be held in 2021. Condolences for the family may be left on his Tribute Wall at throopfh.com
As Al would infamously put it, “Say Goodbye”
Throop Funeral Home, Coopersville, ph. 616-837-8161
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