Sandra Sue Gastmeier, 77, of St. Clair Shores went to her heavenly home on Friday, September 8, 2023. Sue was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family, and her church.
Sue Blevins, always Sue, sometimes Susie or Suzee, but never Sandra, was born on March 21, 1946 and spent her early years in Big Stone Gap, a coal mining town in Appalachian Virginia. Her father, Clayton, worked in the coal industry, as most did, making Sue a literal coal-miner's daughter. The youngest of five siblings, Sue often played the role of tag-along with her older sisters, Betty Jo and Zula, whom she loved dearly and enjoyed a special bond. After moving with the family to Detroit, Michigan, Sue met a hazel-eyed handsome man named Thomas Gastmeier (Tom) while working at a corner cafe; he worked at the gas station across the street. She and Tom would soon marry, putting down roots in St. Clair Shores, and spend the next 59 years making the best of it.
Sue was an avid bowler. She competed in many leagues throughout her life, often serving as an officer in the league organization, and created many longtime friends within her bowling community. She would also regularly travel with her compatriots to bowling tournaments across the state. Sue was creative, with crafts being her preferred outlet. She expressed her creativity through painting and needlework. She also expressed herself through competitive clog dancing, a pastime she shared with her sister and many friends.
Sue took great pride in her southern roots and that shone through in her cooking. This was the type of southern cooking that doctors told you to stay away from, which really just means it was the most delicious. Biscuits and gravy were her specialty. She was also very generous with her baked goods. A visit never passed where there wasn’t some type of cookie for the kids and a birthday never went by without her offering to make the cake.
One thing Sue was not interested in was driving: She never had a driver’s license. Being the case, Tom became her de facto driver and chauffeur. And boy did he drive with her. Sue loved traveling. Even when air travel was available and often more convenient, Sue loved seeing the country through a windshield. She and Tom traveled the country by automobile, eventually visiting all 48 states in the continental United States. Not to miss visiting all 50 states, they also traveled to Hawaii and Alaska by cruise ship, another means of traveling that Sue loved. She said her favorite state was Utah (or maybe Colorado) and her least favorite was Alaska. Travel to visit family was also a reason (as if they ever needed a reason) to get in the car, with Indiana, Louisiana, and her home in Virginia being common destinations.
A longtime faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church Clinton Township, Sue had her favorite pew for Sunday mornings and appreciated the contemporary worship service because of the lively music.
Sue is survived by her husband of 59 years, Thomas, and her children Thomas Jr. (Kelley) Gastmeier, of Eastpointe, Christopher (Audra), of Chesterfield Township, Mark, of St. Clair Shores, and Michael (Andrea), of Clinton Township; grandchildren Christopher Jr. (Amanda), Cortney (Justin), Shawn (Lorin), Taylor (Zach), Matthew (Jessica), Branden (Liza), Ainsley, and Keane; great-grandchildren Carter, Lillian, Aubrey, Ember, Colson, Matthew, Liam, Maeve, Quinn, and Levi. Sue is preceded in death by her parents Clayton and Ruby Blevins; brothers Gaines and Harlis [aka Buck] and sisters Betty Jo and Zula. Sue also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, loved ones, and friends.
Visitation, Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores. Funeral Service, Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Instate 10:00 a.m.) at Trinity Lutheran Church, 38900 Harper, Clinton Twp, with a luncheon to immediately follow the service.
