Obituary of Ardell B. Sleight

Ardell B. Sleight, age 91, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on October 26, 2015 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital. Services will be held 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 2, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. John Grohs will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services Monday at the church. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is assisting the family. Ardell was born June 30, 1924 in Sparta WI, the daughter of Glen and Vera Vogel Thurston. She spent her grade and high school years in Madison where she met and married her high school sweetheart John Butler; he was a pilot and was killed during World War II. Ardell met his friend and co-pilot Richard Sleight because of a promise he made to his friend John. They were united in marriage on July 2, 1948 and soon after the couple moved to Wisconsin Rapids where they lived the rest of their lives. Ardell and Richard were blessed with 57 years of marriage before Dick passed away in 2005. In her younger years Ardell enjoyed ice skating and watching sports. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, volunteering many years of service on the Women's Evening Guild until her health no longer allowed it. Ardell was also a life-long member of Riverview Hospital Auxiliary. One of her greatest joys was working the "Yellow Brick Road" project every year and showing school children what goes on in various parts of the hospital so they wouldn't be afraid. Ardell is survived by her children: John (Merry) Butler II, David (Judy) Sleight, Richard "Corky" (Terri) Sleight and Susan Sleight; grandchildren: Tammi Zellmer, Bill Rushman, Teresa Wenzel, Angela Meddaugh, Bambi Coblenz, Laura Antonie, Aaron Sleight; 11 great-grandchildren: Brandon, John III, Mathew, Vanessa, Marissa, Colton, Rachel, Je'taime, Abigail, Madison, and Isabel as well as three great-great-grandchildren: Rylan, Lilah and Sawyer She was predeceased by her first husband John, second husband Richard, her parents, a brother LaVerne and his twin who died at birth, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Donations in Ardell's name may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary.