A Bitter-Sweet Weekend
We returned last night from Northway where a memorial for our good friend, Don Spitler, took place. We had worked with Don and his wife for 12 years in Northway at the school. June 7th, Don crashed his ultra light plane just a short distance from the airport. The service was fittingly held in the school gym. Diane and Joe, Don’s kids, along with their families decorated the gym with lots and lots of hunting, fishing, trapping pictures intersperced with moose antlers, caribou racks wild flowers and other adventure memoribilia. The grandkids had put together a slide show of a variety of his pictures from over the years that continued to play through out the service. Chandice, Don’s oldest grand daughter, Tom Teasdale the local minister for years, and Brad Heck, a good friend and former principal, all shared some great memories. The community organized a potluck that followed the ceremony. The icing on the cake was heading up the hill behind Spitler’s place to enjoy the view, swap Don stories, and share caribou steaks around the fire. It was almost like old home week. Several teachers from the “early days” made a point of coming to honor a wonderful friend. He will be missed by many.
Hello.
Im Courtney Spitler, Don Spitler’s youngest granddaughter (Joe’s daughter). I just wanted to say thank you for saying so many nice things about gramps. I just came by this website today and I thought I would just drop a little note. He was a very good man and the best grandpa in the world! : ) Have a great day.
Court