Mrs. Ardith Rosella Merten, age 79, passed away Monday, June 11, 2018, at home. She was born March 1, 1939, in Hart, to Adison and Rhodora (Forbear) Corliss. She graduated from Hart High in 1957 and went on to attend Business School in Muskegon.

She married Herbert F. Merten Jr on July 11, 1959. Ardith worked a few years at Misco Precision Castings in Whitehall as the secretary to the purchasing agent. The children Ardith and Herb raised she felt were the greatest gifts. Ardith was very active in the Grange. Locally with the Oceana Center Grange, at the Pomona and State Grange. She held several offices and was very passionate about the Youth programs and the Deaf Awareness program. She was the first Deaf Awareness Director for the Michigan State Grange and as such was instrumental in securing the first Apple computers for the School for the Deaf in Flint MI. Working with Patty Carncross to develop and print "Your Noisy World Could Get Silent" brochures and posters. This program was picked up at a national level and helped deaf awareness grow across the nation through the Grange. She made three quilts a year to be given to the Oceana Center Grange for raffles. Participating and working hard in all the activities sponsored by the Grange. In her later years Ardith authored two cookbooks. "Cooking With Mom" and "Oceana's Recipe Garden", both were well received at the bazaars she attended. Selling over 800 copies of "Cooking With Mom".

Ardith is survived by: her children, three sons, Thomas (Jill) Merten of Hart, Herbert (Gail) Merten of Hart, Fred A. (Sarah) Merten of Pentwater; four daughters, Patricia (Tim) Kersjes of Shelby, Janet Swanson of Shelby, Ann (Jerry) Herrygers of Hart, Susan (Mark) Mussell of Shelby; twenty-three grandchildren, Heidi Hilton, Mandi (Chris) Purcey, Emily Merten, Lindsey Merten, Ethan (Susan) Merten, Whitney (Zach) Hintz, Jessie (Quinn) Rycenga, Abby (David) Calderhead, Ellie (Dennis) Koegel, Anna Swanson, Chris Swanson, Katelynn Herrygers, Kaylee Herrygers, Steven Kersjes, Shelby Kersjes, Karen Kersjes, Kurt Kersjes, Joseph Kersjes, Devin Mussell, Olivia Mussell, Victoria Mussell, Benjamin Merten and Adison Merten; ten great-grandchildren, Lucas & Kila Hilton, Cruz Purcey, Mackenzie & Jace Rycenga, Eleanor and David Calderhead, Jack & Juliet Koegel, Miranda Barefoot; two sisters, Beverly Spitler of Odin Illinois, Patricia (John) Sullivan of Cedarville; and one brother, James (Betty) Corliss of Hart; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her loving husband, Herbert; her parents; son-in-law, Theodore Swanson; niece, Mende DeVinney; brother-in-law, Joseph Merten; and nephew, Dan Merten.

Ardith always believed that Jesus held her hand and she had but to follow Him.

"In the night time of despair, hope sees a star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing." - Robert G. Ingersoll

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, in Shelby, with Father Tom Bolster and Father Phillip Sliwinski presiding. Interment will be in Oceana Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Friday, June 15, 2018, with a praying of the Rosary at 7:00 PM, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N. 72 ^nd Avenue, Hart.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Mercy or the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com