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03/18/21 12:32 PM

Michael Laffey

03/18/21 12:42 PM

Michael Laffey

A Save the Date postcard was mailed out early last month regarding our upcoming 50th Class Reunion. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. All future corresspondence will be through the Class Website or e-mail. I did hear from a few classmates that do not have access to e-mail or the internet and we will send them updates by mail. If you know of anybody who did not receive a post card or do not have access to the internet let me know.

I had postcards returned undeliverable without a forwarding address from the following classmates. If you know their whereabouts or contact info, let me know

Darlene Devine Valenzuela (Las Vegas)

Marcia Spitznass Estes (Eureka, IL)

Marsha Pree Arnold (Bloomington)

Mark Dickerson (Hersher, IL)

Thanks!

12/31/24 02:16 PM

Jane Schweizer

DR. CHARLES RIDENOUR

just wanted to update everyone since Charles daughter Mimi, will not be putting in an obitiuary until a later date on his death on December 18, 2024. He was 98 years old

(August 2024 picture of Mark and Jane last visit with Charles when he moved in with his beloved Daughter Mimi, in Estes Park Colorado) I would have included this picture of Charles taken August 2024 but could not find how to attach picture.) But I did include Charles photo in my Photo section.

My beloved best of all friends in life passed away at 7:30pm on Wednesday December 18, 2024
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Bloomington High School Business Education Teacher and Distict OVERSEER for the Business Education Division.

His daughter Mimi called me to tell me of my beloved friends passing away. He was 98 years old.

She will be placing his obituary at a later date when she gathers up information to include a Celebration of Life to be done Spring 2025 at First Christian Church, Bloomington IL

Charles was my Bloomington High School Business Education Teacher whereas I learned Office Training.

We connected immediately as he was my most FAVORITE of all teachers of life.

We remained close in friendship from Bloomington High School until his death on December 18, 2024.

His daughter was taking care of her father in her home in Estes Park Colorado.

I called Charles on Saturday morning December 14, 2024 as our regular phone talk of friendship. As usual, Charles was wanting to pray for me and was concerned about me and my husband Mark. During our phone call he told me that he no longer could walk. He had been an avid HIKER. And in High School one would always see him walking around and around at Eastland Mall on cold winter days.

I will always MISS our phone calls in friendship.

As CHARLES inspired my own life to succeed in life and suceed in GOD.

Charles was a true TREASURE GIFT through our GOD on this earth.

He loved talking about the WORD OF GOD, as Charles was all about being BORN-AGAIN as written in John Chapter 3.

A true INSPIRATION of a life time FRIEND on this earth as HE was all about what it is as a Godly man on earth as who Charles was on this earth

Mimi shared with me that he died with a big SMILE on his face.

Yes, this is CHARLES RIDENOUR of how I have always know him as my lifetime FRIEND. Always with a HUGE SMILE on this face to share about who he loved the most with JESUS Lord and what made Charles to be Charles on earth as in heaven.

Now Charles is with whom he longed to be with Jesus and now his beloved wife Virginia.

Welcome Home Charles, Welcome home.

A good and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ on this earth - Welcome home.

04/06/25 12:40 PM

Jane Schweizer

DR. CHARLES RIDENOUR
Bloomington High School Teacher and Administrator
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Obituary printed in Pantagraph on April 5, 2025
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https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pantagraph/name/charles-ridenour-obituary?id=58074651
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Charles Ridenour Obituary

Charles Edward Ridenour
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March 21, 1927 - December 15, 2024
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Charles Edward Ridenour died December 15, 2024 in Estes Park, CO. He was born March 21, 1927 in Birdseye, IN. His parents were Charles "Dutch" and Dorothy (Main) Ridenour. Charles grew up with 2 sisters in a house with 2 bedrooms, a pot- bellied stove and an outhouse. From the age of 14, he boarded with his uncle for the summer helping with farm duties. He also delivered newspapers from ages 8 to 16. Horseback riding was his favorite activity and he also enjoyed Checkers, skating and sledding. In school, he enjoyed Math and Agriculture. Charles carried on his father's love of music. He especially liked Frank Sinatra , Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald. He was a faithful attendee at the Disciples of Christ Church, which his grandfather built in Birdseye.
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Charles joined the United States Army Air Force where he showed his abilities as an airplane mechanic and was schooled in Biloxi, MS. He was then chosen to work on big planes-bombers, B-52's and B-29's. He served his country in Guam, Manila and Okinawa.
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Back home, he attended Oakland City College, majoring in Business. He completed his MBA at Indiana University, then received Master's Degrees in Business and Psychology at Illinois State University. He also spent summers studying in various other Universities. He started his civilian career, teaching High School Business Office Occupations at BHS in Illinois and Colorado.
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On August 13, 1949, he married Virginia Smith, whom he met while she was teaching at Oakland City College. Charles attributed a happy marriage to adoring his wife and giving her whatever she wanted. She taught him to like Classical Music and Opera, which he loved for the rest of his life. The couple had 2 children who survive him, Mimi Hardendorf and David Ridenour, both of Estes Park, CO. He is also survived by 2 sisters: Betty Spanbauer and Shirley Stroud and sister in law Marietta Smith, all of Indiana, grandson Benjamin Hardendorf of Englewood, CO.
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Charles wanted to be remembered as a happy person. He was generous with his time and energy. He enjoyed cooking and serving on beautiful China, listening to music, visiting family and friends and helping those in need, and hiking with family.
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A memorial service will be held Saturday April 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at First Christian Church in Bloomington.
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Memorial gifts may be made to The First Christian Church of Bloomington 401 W. Jefferson Street, Bloomington, IL 61701.
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Visit www.allnuttestespark.com to send a message to Charles' family.

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