Ardith Ruth Owen

Ardith Ruth Owen, 90, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Upjohn Care & Rehabilitation Center in Kalamazoo. 

She was born September 14, 1934 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Carl Wheeler and Ruth (Groth) Francis.

Ardith grew up in Portage and remembers fond memories of playing in the fields and ponds where I-94 now sits. Ardith had large, beautiful gardens that were always maintained to tip top shape. She canned her own food from her beloved garden. It also made a good chore for her children, as they helped to weed the garden. Ardith had a soft spot for animals. She loved her chickens and even let them have the first two rows of her garden every year! She kept a close eye on them to make sure they never went any further. She had many animals throughout her life, including a rescue baby goat. Her house was always open to strays, except the Blue Racer snake! Ardith cherished their hobby farm and taught her children the importance of hard work from a young age. 

Her home was also always open to her children's friends. Many nights, it was hard to walk through the living room as many sleeping bags were scattered around the floor. Ardith loved and cared for every child who came into her home and no one ever left her dinner table hungry. She taught her children to love everybody and appreciate differences. Everyone was welcomed by Ardith. 

It would be impossible to tell Ardith's story without talking about her love of Christ and dedication to her church, Paw Paw Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was extremely involved with church activities and loved to teach young children about the love of God. She also taught Sabbath school, Pathfinders and Vacation Bible School, all of which was done 100% voluntarily. Ardith loved being around kids and teaching them. When she was blessed with grandkids, she turned her home into a daycare so she could watch them while her children worked. She also enjoyed traveling cross country with her family. She made space in her busy life for many family trips in the camper. 

Ardith recently celebrated her 90th birthday, it was her goal the past few years to turn 90. She had a big party and loved hanging out with her loved ones. Ardith lived a life full of love, acceptance, hard-work and was an amazing mentor for everyone she met. She will be forever missed but we find peace in knowing that she may now rest with her beloved husband, Lewis Elliott Owen, who preceded her on June 6, 2020. Ardith would want everyone to know to "not wait to live, do what you've always wanted to now". 

She is survived by her sons, Craig and Elliott Owen; daughter, Cheryl (Jon) Gibson; five grandchildren, Randy (Mia) Owen, Alexandria (Brian) Peters, Ashley (William) Cross, Jeremy Owen and Kyle (Jalen) Gibson; great-grandchildren, Luna, Athena and Breyer Peters and Will and Thea Cross and sister, Barbara Simmons and sister-in-law, Barbara Wheeler. Ardith was pleased to know that she had two more great grandchildren on the way. 

Ardith was preceded in death by her father and stepmother, Carl and Althea Wheeler; mother and stepfather, Ruth and Charles Francis; husband, Lewis Owen and brothers, Joe Miller (late Carmen), Orrin Wheeler and Ed (late Deeana) Wheeler. 

A celebration of life service will be held December 14, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. at the Paw Paw Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Ardith will be laid to rest next to her husband at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to Paw Paw Seventh Day Adventist Church to be used for their youth ministries programs.