Obituaries
Ardith J. Gloden
Ardith J. (Dowd) Gloden passed away on September 14, 2023, at Lake Isabella, MI following a brief illness. She was 75 years old.
She was born June 20, 1948, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI to parents Harold Emerson Dowd and Margaret Mae (Rader) Dowd. Ardith was born just 33 minutes after her beloved twin sister (and dearest friend) Desta Ann Dowd.
Ardith is survived by Caryl Robert (Bob) Gloden, her wonderful, always home-focused husband of 34 years. They accomplished much together. Also surviving are her stepson, Robert Scott Gloden (Theresa Bush); and grandson, Connor Scott Boucher Gloden (Cassie Castillo). Her twin sister, Desta A. Kearney (Dan) also survives, and has been a tower of support, strength and comfort to all.
Per Ardith’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service of any kind. May you remember her fondly, as she remembers you.
If you wish to make a memorial gift, please consider: your local public broadcasting station, Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS) at P.O. Box 732, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804, and Mecosta County. Commission on Aging Senior Center…12954 80th Avenue, Mecosta, MI 49332.
Kenneth Lee Ridge
Kenneth Lee Ridge, 83, of Lansing, a man of Faith, friendship, and family died peacefully on Friday, September 15, 2023. Ken was born September 5, 1940, in Lansing, the son of Roscoe Duncan and Elizabeth Mae (Butler) Ridge. He graduated from Dewitt High School in 1958 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. His service took him to Pirmasens, Germany, where he met Patricia Danek, a young lady also serving in the Army. The two fell in love, returned to the States, and married on July 29, 1961. Ken and Patty settled in Charlotte, where they raised their family and Ken worked 20 years at Oldsmobile in Tool and Die. He lived a life of deep-rooted Faith, which led him to serve as lay leader for many years at First Baptist Church of Charlotte. He eventually attended Moody’s Bible College, where he became an ordained minister, thus beginning his true life’s work as a Baptist minister. He pastored at Tower Hart Baptist Church in East Lansing on two different stints, as well as sharing his ministry throughout the area. He was an active member of Cowboys for Christ, and enjoyed Cowboy action shooting, hunting and fishing, and American History. Above all, Ken’s devotion was to God and to his love for family, especially his grandchildren.
Ken is survived by two sons, Wayne (Yvonne) Ridge of Charlotte and Daniel (Debra Olney-Ridge) of East Lansing; daughter, Diane (Shawn) Smith of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Duane “DJ” McGill, Jr., Eric (Morene) McGill, Shalyne (Sean) Harris, Hailee Ridge (fiancé Russ Werner), Michael Zamora, Karis (Josh) Mayer, Mason Ridge, Matthew Ridge, Samantha (Matt) Frizzle, Alexa Smith, and Zachary Smith; five great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Karen) Ridge; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Patty Ridge; granddaughter, Jenae Ridge; brother, Roscoe David (Clare) Ridge; and sister, Geraldine (Jack) Christie.
Friends are encouraged to support Ken’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Towar Hart Baptist Church in East Lansing with Pastor Dave Liesman officiating. The service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Ken’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Abigail Hospice or the Towar Hart Baptist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Arthur Scott Badgley
Arthur Scott Badgley, age 57 from Charlotte passed away on September 8, 2023. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
Kenneth Lee Briggs
Kenneth Lee Briggs, age 84, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 15, 2023. He was born December 31, 1938, in Chester Township, the son of Elon and DonnaBelle (Blood) Briggs. Ken graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1957. After high school, Ken was in the very first graduating class at Lansing Community College where he obtained his Associates Degree. On April 16, 1960, he married Anita Jean Brown at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. Ken worked the majority of his life as a draftsman and later supervisor for the Michigan Department of Transportation, although his true passion and love was always farming. He was an extremely talented woodworker and made many clocks and family heirlooms throughout his life. If he wasn’t in the fields or working with wood, he was in the woods hunting or on the water fishing. Both he and Anita traveled throughout all of North America in their Airstream Travel Trailer for 37 years. They cherished the many friends they were able to make along the way. Family was of the utmost importance to Ken. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Ken is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anita; daughters, Deb White of Charlotte, Cyndi (Skip) Collins of Charlotte; grandchildren, Curtis (Veronica) White, Nick (fiancé Mackenzie Huffman) White, Casee Gill (Nick Kepp), Mike (Alex) Gill; great-grandchildren, Briggs Gill, Arlo Gill, Matilda Gill, Wavelyn Kepp; brothers, Carroll (Marilyn) Briggs, Glen (Pat) Briggs; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the Gresham Cemetery with Chad Rogers officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Gresham United Methodist Church.
Those desiring may make contributions in Ken’s memory to the Gresham United Methodist Church 5055 Mulliken Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Ken’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Joyce Elaine Phillips
Joyce Elaine Phillips, TV junkie and voracious book reader, rolled out during the credits of her favorite soap opera on September 17, 2023. Born Joyce Elaine Bouchard on June 19, 1943, in Hastings to Euclid “Frenchy” and Margaret (Lowell) Bouchard, Joyce grew up cherishing the importance of family. A very loving, caring person, Joyce became a Pediatric Nurse, working at Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, LA until her retirement in 2004. Doing things for others and providing them with gifts of her embroidery gave Joyce great pleasure, and she also enjoyed listening to Hank Williams and playing BINGO on Thursdays with her American Legion BINGO family. The Young and the Restless was her favorite show, she watched every episode from the day it came on until her final breath. She would often watch TV and read books at the same time.
Joyce’s family will miss the best mom and grandma they could imagine. She is survived by her children, James Moccardine Jr. and Michelle (Michael) Corrie, Richard and Carol Phillips and family, Allen and Julie Phillips and family, Neal Phillips and family; grandchildren, Kimberly Snyder and family, Christina Balser and family, Chastity Balser and family, Alicia Phillips and family, and Allen Dale Phillips II and family; and many great-grandchildren from A to Z. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lloyd Phillips; grandson, Luke Jewell; and brother, Don Bouchard.
Friends are encouraged to support Joyce’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Life Celebration is being planned by the family for a later date. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.