Ardis Jean Pierce

Ardis Jean Pierce answered her final call from her Lord on Oct. 1, 2013. Her stay at Rose Arbor Hospice ended on the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was born, Nov. 6, 1944 in the 200 block E. Lovell, Kalamazoo, Mich. and only made it 4 blocks when she retired as the night shift Lt. at the Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety located in the 200 block of W. Lovell in 1999. Ardis was the youngest daughter of Irv and Lois (Bordewich) Pierce, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her sisters Mary Joan (Fred) Thomas and A. Elaine (Richard) Van Niman, and a brother Leslie Pierce. Ardis is survived by her loving husband and daughter, Wayne Loney and Elizabeth Anne Loney. She is survived as well by her youngest brother, Jonathan Pierce. Additionally, she is survived by her step-daughter Michelle (Robert) Baird and step-son Stephen (Mary) Loney and grandchildren Katelyn, Megan & Ryan Loney and Michael (Holly Reynhout) & Alexandra Baird. Loving cousins, nieces and nephews also survive. Ardis grew up in Mattawan, Mich. and was blessed with many lifelong friends from that time and from her 25 years at the Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety. Following her retirement she was blessed to be able to engage in many adventures. She decided the grandchildren deserved an Easter vacation and took the entire family on a Caribbean cruise. She crisscrossed the U.S. with the goal of visiting all fifty states, missing only Washington & Oregon. There were trips to Germany, Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Hawaii and Alaska. She served the Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Chapter, NSDAR in several offices, including Regent. And, of course, there was her almost compulsive avocation for computer and genealogy research, for which she was widely known. Ardis was an avid and enthusiastic supporter of "The Zhang" at WMU. About 20 years ago, Ardis and her sister, Elaine, conceived and implemented a project at the Kalamazoo County Clerk's Office where volunteers would assist any researcher with local vital records and history records. The project continues to this day. Ardis was a faithful member of the Parchment United Methodist Church where she served the Women's group and loved to sing in the choir. A memorial service, conducted by the Revs. Michael Tupper & Daniel Minor, will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, at 11am, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. Inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, she has asked that you consider a memorial contribution to either the building fund of the Parchment United Methodist Church, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, or a charity of your choice. A reception will take place immediately following the service at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 98, 1721 Riverview Dr., Kalamazoo. The family would like to extend the utmost "thank you" to the West Michigan Cancer Center staff, especially Drs. Vemuri & Chandana, and to the staff of Rose Arbor Hospice where she made so many good friends who were instrumental in the wonderful care she received over the last months of her life, especially Drs. Raphelson and Seagle.