Gordon Spratling

Gordon Charles (Chuck) Spratling, age 88, passed away on March 13, 2024 after a life long lived. He was born May 19, 1935 in Grand Rapids, the third of six children of Harold and Frances (Sommerdyke) Spratling.

Chuck left South High School at age 17 to join the Marines to serve in the Korean War. Upon his return, he met and married his wife, Joyce Jablonski, in September 1958 and began to raise a family.

Chuck worked the majority of his life in the grocery store business. He began his career with D&W Food Center in Grand Rapids, moved to Mt Pleasant to manage Ric's Food Center, then moved to the Whitehall area to work with Plumbs Grocery Stores until his retirement. After the passing of his wife in 2023, he relocated to Holland to be closer to family.

Chuck was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed small game and deer hunting, as well as fishing. He enjoyed watching sports on television, and would never turn down a chance to play a game of euchre or cribbage. He participated in bowling and golf leagues for most of his life. One goal he was very proud of and worked hard to accomplish was finally earning his GED. Chuck made friends wherever he went and enjoyed spending time together having a good laugh while enjoying a beer or a good Bloody Mary. Later in life, Chuck enjoyed the solitude of working on a jigsaw puzzle or word search to keep his mind sharp.

Chuck leaves behind his son Tim (Cheryl) Spratling, daughter Karen (Scot) Wentworth, grandchildren, Trisha (Mat) Usinger, Amy (Ty Erickson) Spratling, his sisters Barbara Pennington and Susan Piette and many nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Joyce, his brothers Robert, Donald, Ronald, brothers-in-law Ralph Pennington and Charles Piette and sisters-in-law Lois Spratling and Shirley Spratling.

Chuck's family will meet with friends starting at 10:00 am on Tuesday March 19, 2024 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan, 49504. A service to remember his life will be held at 11:00 am following the visitation. Memorials in Chuck's honor may be given to a charity of your choice. To leave a memory or sign the guest book, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com