David Mark Spafford

1947 - 2022

David "Dave" Mark Spafford
Frankfort, MI
November 9, 1947 - February 15, 2022
David (Dave) Mark Spafford, 74, entered fully into the presence of the Lord our Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Feb 15th, 2022. His wife of twenty-one years, Rosemary Spafford was faithfully by his side at their home as he entered into eternity.
Dave was born on November 9th, 1947, in Frankfort, Michigan to Kenneth and Irene Spafford. He graduated high school at Frankfort High in 1967 and was drafted into the Army shortly afterwards. Dave was honorably discharged after proudly serving his country. You rarely saw him without his Veterans cap on his head and in fact, he still had his Army uniform hanging up.
Dave resided in Frankfort his entire life. He worked for Pet Milk for eleven years, until they closed their doors. He then worked for INCOE for nine years until they also closed their doors. He moved on to Tower Automotive and worked for them nine years as well, until they too closed their doors. Before interviewing for Frankfort Manufacturing, his wife Rosemary joked with Dave saying, "Don't tell them the last three companies you worked for closed their doors." Dave ultimately ended up working for them, a total of ten years, before his retirement.
If Dave wasn't working around the house or doing things for others, you would find him fishing! Saying his hobby was fishing would be an understatement! Dave was an avid Fisherman! Whether it was on Lake Michigan with his father, or on any lake in Benzie County, he loved to be on the water fishing. He even managed to rig up his pontoon boat with fishing rods so when his mother-in-law or grandkids wanted to spend time on Crystal Lake, fishing was still an option. Up until the last three years you could find him and his wife, Rosemary, on Crystal Lake fishing.
Everyone enjoyed having conversations with Dave and listening to all of his stories he had to tell. Dave was so easy going you could talk to him about anything. he truly never knew what a stranger was. But his pride and joy were his two boys, Dustin and James.
Dave will be missed not only by his family but also by his friends and many others in the community who loved him dearly, including all those at Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Randy Graber, his wife Jen, and all their members have always lovingly welcomed Dave, checked on him, and made sure even during COVID and bad weather, that he and Rosemary would be able to stream their services from home, so they didn't miss a single one of them.
Dave is survived by his wife Rosemary spafford, his son Dustin (Anna) Spafford, his son James Spafford, his grandchildren Grace, Audrey, Elijah, Abigail, and Rebecca Spafford. His step children Tim (Elizabeth) Cox, Daronda (Dale) Knighton, Tommy (Michelle) Cox, his brother Al (Helen) Spafford, his sister Peg (Marv) Clark, his sister Nancy Sprandel, his sister-in-law Deb Spafford, his sister-in-law Verona Gatrell, as well as eleven step grandchildren, five step great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Irene Spafford, his brother, Steve Spafford, his brother-in-law Jon Sprandel, his father and mother-in-law Jesse and Vera Pace, his brother and sister-in-law Virgil and Ethel Pace, his brother and sister-in-law Howard and Velma Stratton, his brother-in-law Melvin Gatrell, his sister-in-law Gladys Lucas, his sister-in-law Florence Powers, and his stepson Willard J. Cox.
We would also like to say a special thank you to Diane McDonald, Dave's Hospice nurse from Advisa Care, who truly cared for him. Jay, Dave's social worker, who enjoyed all of their "Fishing Talks" as well as Jowett Family Funeral Home and Cremation of Benzonia.
Dave's Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 8075 E. Hoxie Rd, Cedar, Michigan 49621, on Saturday, june 18th. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Graveside service will be held at Gilmore Cemetery 1546 Grace Rd, Elberta MI @ 4:30 p.m. where Dave will be laid to rest with full millitary honors. We are looking forward to seeing everyone who loved Dave and share all our memories and stories of him together.