Ardith Ann Spoelman's Obituary
Ardith, age 67, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2007. She was born on May 12, 1939 to Duane and Corene (Rushton) Johnson in Central Lake, MI. She was a member of Hope Reformed Church, woman’s guild, and bible study groups. Ardith was a volunteer for Hospice, the March of Dimes and an active member of TOPS. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, genealogy, crossword puzzles, reading her Bible and traveling around the country with her sister Esther. They had many enjoyable trips together exploring Las Vegas, San Diego, Mexico, the Florida Keys, the Grand Canyon, Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas. They also managed to explore quite a few stores and resale shops around the country. Ardith was an avid collector of antique pottery and glassware. In recent years she managed to attend the annual TOPS conventions, which she enjoyed greatly with two of her special friends, Elaine and Virginia.
Ardith was married to her loving husband of 30 years, Lewis Spoelman, on October 9, 1955 in Grand Rapids, MI. Ardith and Lewis honeymooned in the State of Washington while he finished out his military career. They returned to Michigan in 1958 when Lewis was discharged from the army and he began working in the Muskegon Area. After settling in Muskegon, Lewis worked at Continental Motors and managed several area vegetable packaging plants. They purchased the house on Tean Mar in 1960 and the family has lived there ever since. When Lewis passed away in 1986, Ardith was instrumental in taking care of the family and her mother.
She loved to plan and arrange family reunions, holidays, and birthday parties. Ardith loved to see her family get together and was always ready with a quick smile and a quiet chat over a cup of coffee. She was preceded in death by her mother Corene who passed away in 1996 and her brothers Carl and Versile Johnson previously. She was greatly saddened by the death of her much loved grandchild Brad, and her mother-in-law Edna Spoelman.
Ardith will be greatly missed by her children and their spouses who include: Jim and Jill Spoelman, Anne and Fred Reinecke of Muskegon, Steve Spoelman of Woodland, MI, Les and Yolanda Spoelman and Shirley Spoelman of Muskegon. She adored all her grandchildren who included: Casey, Haley, Kristyn, Frederic (Ric), Amanda, Mike, Blake, and Brooke. Ardith spent many hours on the phone with her best friend and sister, Esther Novotny, and her brother Elmer Johnson of Bellaire. She held a special place in her heart for her step-sister, Margaret Oberly of Wyoming, MI, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She always welcomed to her home many of the extended family which included; Lewis’s brothers and sister, their children, the Johnson families of Fort Worth, Texas, the Dewey children, the Wagenmaker, Zylstra and Oberly clans, to name a few. The family wishes to extend their special thanks to Fred Reinecke and Nancy Dewey-Slabosz for sharing their special memories of Ardith. We also wish to thank Ted and Leona Spoelman and Susan Spoelman for their continued support and kindness to our family over the years. Please be sure to share your memories with the family at www.systemafh.com.
FUNERAL SERVICE
The Funeral Service will be 2 PM. Thursday at Hope Reformed Church with Pastor Steve Hyma officiating. VISITATION will be 5-8 PM Wednesday at The Sytsema Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be directed to the family. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake Township, Antrim County, MI.
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