Dale Sprik

Dale Robert Sprik (80) of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, August 4, 2018.  He was born on November 29, 1937 in Manton, Michigan, the 8th child born to Bert and Cena (Bolt) Sprik.  Dale graduated from Coopersville High School in 1955 and served in the Armed Forces, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany from 1956 – 1958.  He married his high school sweetheart, Ginger Holman, on April 10, 1959.   Dale then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan, a master’s degree from Oregon State University, and received his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1971.  He taught high school history, government and economics in Rockford and Hastings, MI and in Rialto, CA before settling in Grand Rapids to practice law as a personal injury attorney for 35 years helping numerous clients.  Dale had a passion for politics and was active in local and state politics as he understood the importance of making voices heard and participating in the political process.  He was an active member of the Democratic Party for over 50 years which included being a delegate to two Democratic Presidential Conventions and four runs for the U.S. House of Representatives.  Dale also had a passion for farming.  He owned Belgian horses, participated in plow days, had a pick-your-own apple orchard, and finally moved the farm toward the preservation of buffalo.  Dale was always an avid learner and traveler; he and Ginger visited over thirty countries around the globe, often seen through the lens of his camera.  He loved traveling, his country, the outdoors and farming, history, and politics, but most of all he loved his family.   He always said, “there is nothing more important than family.”  Dale suffered a severe stroke in 2013 from which he never fully recovered.   The family would like to express a special thank you to the many caregivers Dale has had in his home over the last five years, especially to three who have been with Ginger and cared for him faithfully all five years:  Kevin, Misty and Lori.   He is preceded in death by his son Kevin Sprik; sisters Lila (John) Vonk and Marian (Ed) Demos; his brothers  Reverend Hubert (Barb) Sprik, Calvin and Ernest Sprik; and brothers-in-law William and Jack Holman, Jack Jacobs and sister-in-law Karen Holman.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia Nell (Holman) and their children, Pamela Jo (Andrew) Steers, Robert Dale (Amy M.E.) Sprik DVM, Sara Dawn Sprik and Trevor William (Amy Fritsch) Sprik; sisters Cecile (James) Hoeksema of Seattle, WA and Thelma (John) Zandstra of Greensburg, IN; and brother Reverend Ronald Sprik (Judy) of Belmont, MI; 10 grandchildren Nicholas, Natalie, Isabel, Isaac and Quintin Steers and Bryce, Bronwyn, Kian, Keeley and Cora Sprik; Sisters-in-law Joyce Jacobs, Pat Holman and Kathy Holman; brothers-in-law Dr. Roger Holman, Richard (Paula) Holman, Jon Holman, Daniel (Sue) Holman and Stephen (Christine) Holman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  The family will meet friends and relatives at Throop Funeral Home, 214 Church St, Coopersville from 1- 3 pm and from 5 – 8 pm on Thursday, August 9.    A memorial service celebrating Dale’s life will be at the Coopersville Bible Church, 35 Hillcrest Street, Coopersville on Friday, August 10 at  11:00 am with a luncheon to follow.   A private burial will be held at the Coopersville-Polkton Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to the Coopersville Area Historical Society, 363 Main St., Coopersville Mi 49404, of which Dale and Ginger are members.
Throop Funeral Home
Coopersville, ph. 616-837-8161