Franklin Spoolstra ’63
Franklin Spoolstra ’63 of Rockford, Michigan, died on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. He was 85.
He was born the tenth of eleven children to Martin and Ella (Beckering) Spoolstra on August 2, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. Franklin graduated from Hope College with a BA in Psychology in 1963, a BD and M. of Div. from Western Theological Seminary in 1971, a MA in Human Relations in 1976 from Governors State University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Sarasota in 1977. Franklin married Maxine (Dunn) Winegar on July 25, 1987. Together they adopted their daughter Shelly (Winegar) McNay’s children, Jacob and Jared when she passed away in March 13, 2000.
Franklin enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also loved attending football and basketball games at Rockford High School, attending church, listening to sermons, watching the Gaithers on TV and playing with his dogs.
Frank is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 30 years Maxine; his children Jacob (Brittany) Spoolstra and Jared Spoolstra, both of Rockford; Kathy (Ron) Scholten of Worth, Illinois, Mark (Christine) Spoolstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Karen (William) Kamp of Tinley Park, Illinois, Janet (Michael) Barnes of Jenison, Michigan, and stepson Michael Winegar of California; his grandchildren Sarah, Jonathon, Jordan, Erik, Kelly, Billy, Stephen, Andrew, Katherine, Leah, Lauren, Patrick, and Christian; great-grandchildren Aria, Talia, Kahlan, Logan, Zeke; sisters Jean Rusthoven and Edith Gruendler, both of Arizona; sisters-in-law Sandra Dunn, Lona Cochran, and Nancy (Bob) Schofield, all of Rockford; former wife, Louise Spoolstra; and many nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members.
Preceding him in death were his parents; mother and father-in-law Dorothy and Vernon Dunn; daughter Shelly; and grandson Christian McNay. The family would like to thank Spectrum Health Hospice and the staff at Spectrum Blodgett Acute Adult Care for their care and compassion during Frank’s illness. There will be a time of visitation from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017, at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service for Franklin will be celebrated by his grandson, Pastor Erik Kamp, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August, 2017, at Pederson Funeral Home. Under the auspices of the Kent County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the United States Army full military honors will be presented graveside, immediately following the service, at Courtland Township Cemetery. Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the West Michigan Humane Society, 3077 Wilson Drive NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534; or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1873, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Cemetery Details Courtland Township Cemetery 10350 Myers Lake Avenue NE Rockford, MI, US, 49341