Louis F. Witherspoon, age 94, left this life on Sunday, January 17, 2016. He was a lifelong resident of Lake and Hume Township. He was the last surviving grandson of the entire clan of John Charles and Rosalie Witherspoon family.
He was born July 8, 1921 (just 56 years after the assignation of Abraham Lincoln) in Lake Township near Caseville. He was the son of Peter and Catherine (Smukala) Witherspoon.
After living his first eight years in Saint Louis, MO, he moved with his family to the family farm for a life of farming. He attended Port Crescent County School. He graduated from Lakeview High School of St. Clair Shores under the G.I. Bill in Agriculture. During World War II, he was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Pacific Theater.
He was married to Dorothy Gorecki on April 21, 1945 at St. Edward's Church in Kinde. Dorothy preceded him in death on August 27, 1994. His second wife, Helen Johnson died in February 2014.
Louis farmed the family land and also worked for General Motors Buick Division in Flint. He was employed by the State of Michigan, first at Sleeper State Park in Caseville and was promoted to Park Manager of Port Crescent State Park. He retired from that service in 1977.
Mr. Witherspoon was a member of Port Austin Frank Horetski V.F.W. Post #10885 in Kinde, and the American Legion #116. He also was President of the Band Boosters for North Huron High School. He was a parishioner of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Kinde and also served on the Church Board and was an usher.
His special interests were bowling, camping, motorcycle riding and spending his winters in Florida. He felt one of his greatest accomplishments was bringing order to the Port Crescent area during civil unrest in the late 1960's. He was a pioneer park manager developing the Port Crescent State Park from the sand up. He had a great interest in developing possibilities for energy conservations, kept abreast of politics and current events and was an avid baseball fan.
Louis is survived by his daughter: Barbara (Daniel) Gudschinsky of Bay City; two granddaughters: Tracy and Nicole; two great grandsons: Darien King and Kamden Johnson; and three nieces: Delores VanLeeuwen, Nancy VanLeeuwen and Ann (Steven) McCabe.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Christine Witherspoon, grandson Michael Gudschinsky, one brother, Raymond Witherspoon and one sister, Helen VanLeeuwen.
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private burial will be held at a later date. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and caring workers at McLaren Bay Region, Carriage House of Bay City, Heritage Hill Assisted Living of Caro, Alpha Omega Home Health in Elkton & Caro, and Rose Garden Senior Living of Elkton; and the tremendous support from Carol and Rob Parker.

To Dad

Dandelion days and firefly nights,
Rainbow dreams and Christmas lights.
A magic time to grow and learn,
Your guiding hand at every turn,
I thank you for those special years,
Of laughter, love, and even tears;
You gave me a legacy.
A part of you is part of me.
Unknown

I love you Dad!