Carl Spencer Obituary

Spencer, Carl Steven "Steve" - age 77, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025 at his home in Linden. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 12-1 PM, followed by a memorial service at 1 PM at Faith Church of Linden, 4518 Silver Lake Rd. in Linden. A private burial with his family will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Linden, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Naomi. To honor his love of hunting and the outdoors and his compassion for veterans, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Outdoor Driven Inc, a Michigan nonprofit that serves the mental well-being of our veterans through hunting and fishing trips and other related activities. Steve was born September 16, 1947 in Kelsa, VA, the son of Joseph Don and Virginia Spencer. He married Naomi Matney on December 07, 1968 and they were married 45 years until her death in 2013. Together they had and raised four children, in addition to two foreign exchange students who became their own. Steve owned and operated a diesel repair business until his retirement in 2015. Steve was a devoted family man who was active and often coached his children’s ball teams, and later his grandchildren as well. He spent years coaching and served on the board as president of the Linden Little League. He spent countless hours dedicated to the program and the ball playing youth of Linden, boys and girls. He was often the first one to the fields and the last to leave. Steve loved spending time with his family at the cabin he built in Rose City, MI, where they spent weekends riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles. The highlight of his life was becoming a papa to his 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and 2 more on the way. Steve loved spreading the gospel of the Lord and was a member of Faith Church of Linden. Surviving are his children Stephanie and husband Bill Creger, Steven and wife Tammy Spencer, Shannon and husband Jeff Rivera, Jason and wife Amanda Spencer, Arttu Mykkanen, and Esa Ruosteenoja, Grandchildren Jennell Conn, Lauren and husband Camillus Fitzpatrick, Alex and wife Shawna Spencer, Joel Hendricks and Hannah, Kirstin and husband Alec Friel, Cheyenne Creger, Jessie and husband Brian Heiligenthal, Ryker and wife Natalie Rivera, Joey and wife Tabitha Spencer, Spencer Rivera, Mickel Spencer, Savannah Rivera, Casper Ruosteenoja, and Emil Ruosteenoja, and his 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother James( RaeAnn) Spencer, brother Randy (Kim) Spencer, sister Yvonne Staffne, and sister Nalena (Jim) Culver, sister-in-law Ruby (Dave) Hampton, brother-in-law Paul (Pam) Matney, and sister-in-law Ada Clevinger. He is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years Naomi, his grandson Samuel Rivera, his brother Joe Spencer, and his parents Don and Virginia Spencer. Steve will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.