James Michael (Mike) Spalding passed on Tuesday, December 21, 2022 at the age of 90. He passed peacefully at Spring View Hospital in Lebanon, Ky., after a long battle with congestive heart failure. He was born in the family home, along with 7 brothers and 5 sisters to Robert and Kitty Brown Spalding.

Mike is Survived by His 6 children; William Michael (Dream Helm) Spalding, Frank (Evelyn Goodin) Spalding, Barry (Lisa Thomas) Spalding. Linda (Bobby) Kersey, Caroline (Todd) Marcum, Maria (Bill) Rigsby, and two Brothers, Bernard Spalding and George Dean Spalding. Plus 10 grandchildren and 3 great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Growing up Mike and his brothers worked with their father on the family farm which was about 2 miles from their home. His sisters helped with the household chores, and there were plenty of them, with 12 mouths to feed and laundry to wash.

Mike Joined the service shortly after graduating from High school as did many of his brothers. They were proud Americans and believed in the United States of America, the greatest nation in the world. After his time in the army he came home and he and his wife Joann started their family. They had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 Girls. Mike and Joann taught their children the meaning of working for a living. Mike had Started Spalding Furniture (now Spalding Cabinet) after working quite a few years at G.E. in Louisville Ky., and Joann started an Upholstery shop in the garage behind the house. Needless to say their children worked in both places as needed. This really brought the family together. Then one summer in the 70's, Mike bought a steel hull for a house boat and the family worked hand in hand to design and construct the boat. It was known as the FULL HOUSE, and if you were ever on Green River during those years you know why they named it the FULL HOUSE! Their Children and all their friends where on that boat every weekend of every summer until the boat was worn out. If you want a recipe for building a strong close family that is the way to do it!

As their children grew older, married and moved away there was an emptiness that Mike felt and he would conjure up any excuse he could to coax all of his children back to Calvary at least once a month. That would always lead to a big family cooking and all the family and friends were welcome.

Simply put Mike was a very Special man! He taught us all the meaning of love in the way he cared for his family and also the meaning of the wedding vows by the way he cared for his wife Joann. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he cared for her day in and day out seldom leaving her side. This was over the course of 7 years, never once thinking about putting her in a home.

In lieu of flowers and gifts please give to the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Calvary Kentucky.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church. Interment to follow in Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church Cemetery

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church.

We will miss you Daddy!!!

Bosley Funeral Home is entrusted with these arrangements.