Lee William Spohr

Lee William Spohr, 86, of Holloway Rd, Adrian, went to be with the Lord on April 16, 2013 under the care of Blissfield Place and Hospice of Lenawee. Lee was born on March 12, 1927, in Britton, Michigan, the son of Ernest and Hazel (Bushroe) Spohr. On October 21, 1947, he married Naomi Hawley of Britton, and she survives. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last October.For much of his life Lee worked as a farmer, designing and building many tools for use in the barn and fields. In 1969, acting as general contractor, Lee supervised the family in building their home on Holloway Rd, where he lived until just a few weeks ago. At that same time, he made what he called “the hardest decision of my life” by leaving home to work as a salesman. He worked first for Smith-Douglas Fertilizer, then G&W Pole Buildings, and finally for Morton Buildings, retiring in 1989. Even in retirement, Lee’s love for farming continued and he regularly enjoyed helping farmer friends by operating tractors and combines.Lee faithfully served the Lord throughout his life as a member of Tecumseh Friends Church, Raisin Center Friends Church, Adrian First Church of the Nazarene and Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene. Always willing to help, he was involved in multiple church building programs, and, together with his wife, ministered to teens both in their home and in the church.In addition to his wife, Naomi, Lee is survived by his children: Gary (Scotty) Spohr of Fishers, Ind., Gale (Jackie) Spohr of Adrian, Mich., Cherilyn (Wayne) Waggoner of Tecumseh, Mich; his grandchildren: Erica Spohr, Andy (Kelly) Spohr, Erik (Tara) Spohr, Chad (Bethany) Spohr, Kendra Waggoner, Kullen Waggoner, Karissa Waggoner; six great-grandchildren: Leah, Taylor, Jackson, Anderson, Eliza, and Silas; two brothers: Dale (Shirley) Spohr of Adrian and Dean (Shirley) Spohr of Adrian; and two sisters: Wanda Cavin of Tecumseh and Wilda (Howard) Haas of Tavares, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, Howard Cavin.Funeral services will be Friday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at the Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene, with his grandson, Rev. Erik Spohr, officiating. Burial will be at Ridgeway Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home in Tecumseh and again one hour prior to the funeral service at the Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene.Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Lenawee or Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.