Ellen Ridenhower
Godfrey |
Ellen Mary Ridenhower, 87, passed away at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Jerseyville Manor in Jerseyville. She was born on January 27, 1926 at home in East Alton, the daughter of James Francis and Lulu (Barbeau) Simpson. Ellen graduated from Marquette High School class of 1944. She was a secretary and time keeper for Western Cartridge in East Alton and wrote columns for the Wood River Journal. Later as a homemaker, she was a volunteer typist for St. Matthew’s grade school. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church including St. Matthews and St. Mary’s of Alton. She enjoyed scrapbooking, writing poems and stories and playing the piano. Ellen married Wayne Eugene “Gene” Ridenhower on June 14, 1947 at St. Patrick’s Rectory in Alton by Father Bretz. Their union was over 65 years. Surviving are her husband Gene, two children and their spouses, David and Debby Ridenhower of St. Peters, MO; Sue and Jerry Mueller of Godfrey; two granddaughters, Jennifer (Luke) Peterson of Carlinville and Zoe Ridenhower of St. Peters, MO; one brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Louise Simpson of Edwardsville; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Bob Morrison; her brother and sister-in-law, James and Allene “Pee Wee” Simpson; and an infant granddaughter, Ashleigh Sue Mueller. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2013 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Capital Fund or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
