Ardith M.Randler, of Chesterton, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at St. Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City. She was 87.

She was born August 6, 1920 in Porter, to Fred and Winifred (Wagner) Lindquist who preceded her in death.

On April 11, 1940 she married Carl “Chuck” Randler, who died Dec. 4, 2004.

Ardith is survived by three children, Carl Randler of E. Boston, Mass.; John Randler of Mesa, Ariz.; and Hedy (Peter) Ballestero of Chesterton; a granddaughter, Rebecca Randler; a step-grandson Thomas (Penny) Ballestero; three step great grandchildren, Blair, Ashley and Austin and beloved nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by one brother, Oakley Lindquist and one sister Mona Lindquist Edmonds.

Ardith was a life long resident of Porter and the last few years in Chesterton. She was a life long member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, she was baptized there, attended school there, was married there and worshiped there her entire life. She graduated from Chesterton High School in 1938. A woman before her time, she loved sports and was quite an athlete, playing both baseball and basketball. Ardith was a homemaker, but later on worked at Vawters Grocery and Big T Grocery.

In the 1960’s she was the proprietor of the Porter Post Office, it was Porter’s last stand alone postal facility. In the early 1970’s she and her husband Carl took over the family business, Randler’s Tavern, until 1977. Ardith was a sports fan all of her life and especially a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. She traveled and enjoyed life, always an optimist and always ready to lend a hand. She loved her family and she will be sadly missed by them.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wed. Feb. 27, 2008 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association. www.ee-fh.com

Posted 2/25/2008