Capt. John Von Sprecken
Captain John Bonsecour Von Sprecken, 86, of Ludington, and St. Marys, Georgia, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital after a long battle with heart disease and prostate cancer. John was born December 11, 1938, in Ludington, the son of Judge Peter R. Von Sprecken and Ethyl Barber of Cheboygon.
He was a graduate of Ludington High School Class of 1956 and studied business administration at Ferris State College. He was a telephone equipment installer for Stromberg Carlson, Automatic Electric and General Telephone Company working in Illinois, Tennessee and Michigan. He was drafted in 1962 and served two years in the U.S. Army in White Sands N.M. and European Command in Paris, France, being honorably discharged in December, 1963.
John first shipped out of Cheboygan, on the lower lakers when he was 16. He worked on the C&O carferries following his military discharge, then shipped on freighters on the Great Lakes working as a relief mate for American Steamship Company, Ford Motor Company Marine Division, and Oglebay Norton Company – Columbia Transportation Division and Pringle Transit, Key Lakes, Inc., and Wisconsin and Michigan Steamship Company. He was promoted to a permanent captain’s position with Columbia Transportation sailing until his retirement in 2006, being the last captain on the Oglebay Norton payroll as the boats were sold. Over the course of his 69 years sailing on the Great Lakes, he was a member in good standing in the National Maritime Union, the Seafarers’ International Union, the Associated Maritime Officers’/Marine Engineers Beneficial Association and the Associated Maritime Officers.
Following retirement, John donated his time volunteering with several organizations in both Ludington and St. Marys. He was an active member of St. Simon Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #1492. For many years, he was the chief dough maker for the St. Simon’s Applefest and continued to donate a girl’s and boy’s bicycle each year to the Applefest general raffle. He formerly belonged to the Ludington Kiwanis and was currently a member of American Legion Post 76.
Several years, he volunteered chaperoning the men’s homeless shelter sponsored by Hospitality INC (In the Name of Christ). He was active in the Democrats of Camden County Georgia and was a volunteer with Camden County Re-entry Program, Inc. In Woodbine, Georgia, where he served on the board of directors, filed its annual tax returns, and worked with ex-offenders helping them return to society and prevent recidivism.
He was also a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea parish in St. Marys, Georgia. In his spare time, he was devoted to his beloved springer spaniels and enjoyed painting with a group of local artists at First Baptist Church, Woodbine, Georgia. During his sailing career, he mentored several young sailors and assisted them in acquiring merchant marine documents and sailing positions both on salt water vessels and the Great Lakes. He will be remembered for his love of model railroads, drag racing Corvettes, snow planes, high performance boats, water skiing, cross-country skiing and fishing from the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys.
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth “Betsy” Clair Von Sprecken; sons Jonathon (Katey) Von Sprecken, Morgan Von Sprecken, Chief Engineer Aaron Von Sprecken, and Captain Justin (Sally) Von Sprecken. He is also survived by grandchildren Adrienne Steffens, Owen Von Sprecken, Abigale Von Sprecken, Emmett Von Sprecken, Alec Von Sprecken, Lake Von Sprecken, and Rymer Von Sprecken. He is survived by brother-in-law Mike (Cindy) Bucholtz and nieces and nephews Michael (Anna) Bucholtz, Pascal (Londi) Kohl, Janna Von Sprecken Hensley and Larry Hensley, Julie Von Sprecken Havenaar, and Jeff (Chris) Von Sprecken, Jim and Sherry Kaufman, Rod and Karen Kaufman, Dawn Kaufman, Carolyn Kaufman Trotter and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
John was preceded in death by his father, Judge Peter R. Von Sprecken; mother, Ethyl Barber Von Sprecken; mother-in-law Claribel Bucholtz; and brothers Richard Von Sprecken and Peter Frederick Von Sprecken; and sister-in-law Jean Von Sprecken.
A Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2 p.m. at St. Simon Catholic Church with Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. presiding. Visitation on Saturday will begin at 1 p.m. on at the Church. Visitation will also be held on Friday, February 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary prayed at 5 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Ludington Area Catholic School, Friends of the Ludington State Park, or the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum (Mason County Historical Society).
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com.
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