Visitation
Saturday, February 1, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM EST
West Cannon Baptist Church
5760 Cannonsburge Rd
Grand Rapids, MI 49306
1 (616) 874-6740
Map
Web Site
Service
Saturday, February 1, 2025
11:30 AM EST
West Cannon Baptist Church
5760 Cannonsburg Rd
Grand Rapids, MI 49306
1 (616) 874-6740
Map
Web Site
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
West Cannon Baptist Church
Web Site
Covenant Living of the Great Lakes Benevolent Fund
2510 Lake Michigan Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Web Site
Flowers
Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.
Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site
Life Story / Obituary
When reflecting on the life of Ardith Riter, it is easy to see that she made the most of every day she was given. Her unwavering faith formed the stable foundation of her life, and she never missed a chance to make sure her friends and family knew just how much they were loved. Though she will be dearly missed, Ardith leaves behind a beautiful collection of memories that her loved ones will hold close.
WWII cast a dark shadow over the United States and the rest of the globe in the early years of the 1940s. Many brave servicemen were called to serve, and those who remained stateside faced strict rationing and waited by their radios every night for news of their loved ones. It was during this tumultuous time that the Martin couple in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, were excited to announce the birth of their first baby. Ardith Jo drew her first breath on June 6, 1942.
Throughout her childhood, Ardith was a typical girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Jack. Ardith’s father was a preacher and evangelist, and his job called the Martin family to move around the Indiana and Ohio area. As a girl, Ardith lived in Broken Sword, Niles, Defiance, Fairfield, and Tiffin, Ohio. She was raised in the church and claimed her faith as her own at a young age, when she gave her life to Christ while listening to her father preach. Ardith attended local schools, including several elementary schools. She graduated from Defiance High School in 1960, eager to see what the future held.
Ardith grew up in a very musical family and fell in love with music at a young age, especially the piano. She enjoyed showing her talent by playing piano for any musical events at both school and church, and she would even play live music on the radio. Following her graduation from high school, Ardith followed her love of music to Huntington College, where she majored in music and minored in English. Once she graduated, she threw herself into her passion and began teaching music at Cedarville College.
It wasn’t long before Ardith’s path would cross with the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Bill Riter, and the two first met while Ardith was teaching at Cedarville. There was an instant spark between them, and they quickly fell deeper and deeper in love. Ready to build their future together, Ardith and Bill were married on December 16, 1967, with her father officiating the wedding. The newlyweds spent their first few years together living in their campus community.
There was nothing that meant more to Ardith than her family. She and Bill were overjoyed to become parents to their two beloved daughters, Lynn and Amber. Ardith thrived in her role as a mother, and she instilled in her daughters a love for music and a solid work ethic. The Riter family would often visit Florida to be with family on Christmas break, and their summers were spent traveling all over the United States. In 1985, they settled down in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so that Bill could teach at Grand Rapids Baptist College. Throughout it all, Ardith could always be heard playing the piano. Later in life, she was so happy to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.
Over the years, Ardith poured her love for music into her career. Beginning in the early 1960s, she began teaching piano lessons from her home, which she would continue to do for the next 50 years. Ardith’s classical training allowed her to write arrangements of her own. Her husband, Bill, was her biggest supporter. He constantly encouraged her to record her work and arrangements, and he was always excited to share the CDs with everyone. Ardith also let her God-given talents shine as a member of Northland Baptist Church and later West Cannon Baptist Church. She and Bill embraced their church family and treasured their care group, Caleb's Kin.
In her free time, Ardith pursued many hobbies to keep busy and active. She enjoyed gardening and canning, and she was very adventurous in the kitchen. Ardith liked quiet activities, such as needlepoint, sewing, puzzles, and birdwatching. She was an avid reader of books and poetry. In the 1990s and 2000s, Ardith and Bill were able to travel around the country, often going to see Bill’s beloved trains.
When Ardith began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease, Bill became her faithful caregiver. As the disease progressed, her family continued to surround her with their support. In 2020, they moved to Covenant Living of Great Lakes and spent the next couple of years enjoying a slow, peaceful life together.
Throughout a journey that spanned times of war and peace, times of plenty and want, and times of joy and grief, Ardith Riter never took a single moment for granted. She was a shining example of kindness and faith. Nothing brought Ardith greater joy than teaching piano, especially to her children and grandchildren. Her passion for music will be remembered for generations to come. Life will never be the same without Ardith here, but her legacy will be forever cherished by those she leaves behind.
Ardith Jo Riter, age 82, entered into eternal glory with her Lord and Savior on January 28, 2025. Ardith was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; and brother, John “Jack” Martin. Ardith is survived by her children Lynn & Dave Van Loo, and Amber & Jim Koster; grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) Kirstie & Eric Miedema (Braylon, Madison, Camden), Zachary Van Loo, Tyler (fiancé Bailee Parker) Van Loo, Rebecca & Matt Horling (Monroe and Ruth), Emma and Ellie Koster; as well as nieces and nephews. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM at West Cannon Baptist Church, 5760 Cannonsburg Road NE. Friends are invited to visit with her family from 10 AM until the start of the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either West Cannon Baptist Church or Covenant Living of the Great Lakes Benevolent Fund are appreciated. Celebrate Ardith’s life online by sharing memories and photos on her dedicated web page at heritagelifestory.com