Gary Spencley

Did you hear the one about the guy who died and went to heaven???

I am sure the halls of heaven are ringing with jokes, good and bad, appropriate and inappropriate, as our father, Gary Spencley, ascended to heaven on March 4th where he will join his wife (our mom) Sharlene, sons Paul and David, daughter-in-law Patti, 15 brothers and sisters, and a long list of friends and extended family members who are welcoming him with open arms and hardy laughter.

Gary was the youngest of 16 children born to Robert and Susie Spencley. He grew up in Levering and attended Pellston schools where he was a standout in track, basketball, and football. He would often regale us with tales of his lightning speed and gridiron greatness which were met with eye rolls but often confirmed with stories from those who played with him or against him, much to our pride. After High School, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and Thule Air Base in Greenland. He completed his enlistment and moved back to Northern Michigan where he reunited with his high school sweetheart Sharlene. They were married in 1967 and were together until her passing in February of 2023. They raised five kids together moving from Mackinaw to Midland to Manistique, eventually settling down for good in Charlevoix in 1977. Having more than enough love to give, they opened their home and their hearts to others through foster care and adopted five more kids along the way. No matter how busy he was, Dad always made time to play catch or basketball with us, help out with school activities, and he never missed one of our games, plays, concerts, or any of our significant life events. He was passionate about sports (Go Green!), loved his family and friends, and taught us how to live life with humor and humility. After retiring from St Mary's (Medusa) Cement, he spent his time golfing, fishing, camping, bugging mom, catching up on sleep, and teasing the grandkids which he was always so proud of.

We will never forget his innate ability to make everyone feel comfortable. You were never a stranger for long in his house and he would treat people like family as soon as they walked through the door. He was quick with a joke and would have a beer in your hand before you knew it. No matter who you were or where you came from, his house was always open and whether you needed a smile or a hug, he was there to give it.

He is survived by his children Scott (Shannon), Melanie (Nancy), Dean, Lynn, Jamey (Laura), Darsi (Mitts), and Shandra; in-laws Michael and Darlene Borths and nieces Marci Borths and Staci (Borths) Belanger; grandkids Curt (Carmie), Tara (Waylon), Sasha, Shauna (Ross), Cortney, Melisa, Keeton (John), Kolby, Tony, Jamen (Maddy), Marlee, Emma, Sam, Grace, and Stella; great grandkids Cade, Cruz, Wyatt, Madeline, Brantley, Bailey, Peyton, Jace, Charlie, Liam, Paisley, Taylor, and Nova; and great nephews/nieces Ke’Nen, Brecklyn, Safiya, Jacob, and Lucas.

A special thank you to Heather Garcia and Cheri Vallance who took such good care of him in his last years. You guys are amazing! And to everyone who has reached out with kind words of condolence, we thank you. We have especially loved hearing stories about our dad from those who knew him so please, if you have any stories or photos, new or old to share, please feel free to send them to garyspencleystories@gmail.com.

We will have a celebration of life at a later date. Until then, raise a beer, crack a joke, and make a stranger feel welcome. We love and miss you, Dad!

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com