Neil Spoelman

Neil Spoelman was a member of the greatest generation, and a quiet hero his whole life. Neil was the most unselfish man you could ever meet he was always focused on others, on how he could help them or make their lives a little easier. A quiet man with a loving heart and a strong work ethic, Neil spent his life in the service of others. Whats more, he performed this service with a joyful heart and was never happier than when he was helping out his friends or beloved family members. On March 25, 1926, Cornelius and Jennie Spoelman were blessed with the birth of a son, whom they christened Neil Henry. The Spoelman family lived in Muskegon, Michigan, where Neil was the fourth of six children. Cornelius and Jennie both worked to support their family: Cornelius at Continental Motors, and Jennie as a clerk at Hardy Herpolsheimers and a jewelry store. Even from an early age, Neil was mechanically gifted and loved being around cars. His father would sometimes drive a wrecker, and if Neil heard the call come in during the middle of the night he would jump up, get dressed, and be the first one ready to go. Neil also enjoyed roller skating, playing practical jokes, and swimming at West Lake, which he rode to on his bike from miles away. Soon enough Neil grew into a young man and as the country was in the midst of WWII, Neil felt called to serve; enlisting in the Navy. Later, while on leave and through a friends girlfriend, Neil got a blind date with a young woman named Dessie Munroe. After picking Dessie up at her home in Wayland, Neil drove all the way to Muskegons Curvecrest (a roller skating rink) only to find that it had already closed so they turned around and went back to Wayland. Despite this rocky start, Neil fell for the beautiful and personable Dessie and when he returned to duty the couple had to continue their courtship by mail. Neil was deployed to New Orleans, Cuba, the Panama Canal, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Philippines, Luzon, and Yokohama. He used his mechanical aptitude to work as a motor machinist mate on an LCT. The war was difficult for Neil, and in later years he would rarely discuss his experiences. However, the day finally came when he was discharged, and when he returned to Curvecrest his skates were still in the skate box, the clerk reaching up for them as if he had been there only yesterday. Five months after Neils return, he and Dessie were united in marriage, on September 12, 1946. Over the years, Dessie and Neil were blessed with the births of three healthy boys: Bruce, Paul, and Roger. Neil supported his growing family by working for Bakker Auto Trim. Although Neil was a talented mechanic, putting his tools away afterwards was never a priority and he often ended up inadvertently driving over them! After ten years of hard work as an employee, Neil was proud to buy the business in 1957. He continued to work hard as the boss, however Neil was a workaholic in an unfrenzied way, happiest when he could stay busy. He always made time for his family, though, and enjoyed quality time spent with them at meal times, church, and on vacations. His sons have especially fond memories of swimming at the YMCA and at Camp Pendalouan FatherSon camp. Religious faith was important to Neil as well, and he and his wife were active members of Olivet Evangelical Free Church. In 1991, Neil retired from the auto business, transferring it to the capable hands of his son Paul. Although Neil was technically retired, nothing could make him actually stop working. Starting in 1989, he began work as an assistant at Clock Funeral Home. Neil was perfectly suited to this job: he knew everyone, and with his gentle manner, put people at their ease. Sensitive and considerate, Neil had an uncanny way of fulfilling needs for both customers and other staff members. Neil also enjoyed driving cars from auctions for his cousin at Jim Spoelmans Auto, as well as participating actively at the YMCAs Ys Club and the church. Neil and Dessie were always willing to open their home for missionaries to have a meal or even stay a few nights. This was typical of Neils whole life he would always look for a need and then try and meet it. In his later years, Neil was also blessed by the opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Only a few days before his death, he was delighted to be able to attend his grandsons wedding. On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, Neil Spoelman died at his home, at the age of eightyone. A kind, loving man, Neils presence graced the lives of friends, family, and even strangers. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Jennie (Williams) Spoelman, and a brother, Gordon (Barbara) Spoelman. His family includes his wife, Dessie; his sons, Bruce (Margaret) Spoelman of Grand Haven, MI, Paul (Judy) Spoelman of Muskegon, MI, and Roger (Jan) Spoelman of Muskegon, MI; three sisters, Vivian (David) Bouman of Grand Rapids, MI, Ann Kieft of Muskegon, MI, and Nellie (George) Schoeltens of Muskegon, MI; seven grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren; and one brother, Ralph (Lodine) Spoelman of Florida. Services will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference, with Pastor Paul Urban officiating. Interment will be at Ravenna Cemetery. Friends are invited to gather with the family for visitation on Wednesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Olivet Evangelical Free Church for a youth mission endowment scholarship program, or to the Muskegon Rescue Mission. Please visit Neils personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or to sign the online guest book.