Earl Leon Spalding, age 85, of Walhalla, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

Earl was born on September 14, 1932, the son of Robert and Beatrice (Townsend) Spalding. He grew up in Portland MI, where his love affair with old cars began at the age of 15. Earl attended General Motors Tech in the 1960’s and worked as a mechanic at local automotive dealerships. He enjoyed hunting, and after retirement, he bought a boat so he could go fishing on the big lake. Earl was always there for his children. He was a good provider and helpful in every way.

Earl’s love of cars drew him to the Pere Marquette Historical Motoring Club, where he loved to look at old cars and show off his own while hanging out with friends, including his buddy Trinidad Rios. True to their collective personality, they affectionately referred to each other as Jose’ and Jos-B.

Earl is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathleen Spalding; children, Rick (Diane) Spalding, Darlene (Jim) Shauger, Trina Spalding, and Brenda (Ted) Grummet; step-children, Mary Goward, Charles Smith, Marsha Vaclavik, and Kristy Paauwe; sister-in-law, Elenore Spalding; cousin, Burt Spalding; 9 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and his friend, Trinidad (Janie) Rios.
Preceding Earl in death are his father, Robert Spalding; mother Beatrice (Gerald) Shindorf; and brothers, Robert “Leo” Spalding and Roland “Tony” Spalding.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 3:30 pm at Brookside Cemetery in Scottville.

Please share your fond memories of Earl at www.OakGroveFH.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Ludington.