Ardis E. Cummings

Ardis E. Cummings, 86 of Stevensville, in God’s perfect timing went to meet her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Thursday, January 08, 2015 at Golden Age Manor Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday at First Church of God, 2627 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Robert Confer officiating.  Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma.  Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Memorial contributions may be made to The Women of the Church of God-WCG or Hospice at Home.  Those wishing to sign Ardis’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ardis was born August 25, 1928 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Leslie & Emma (Zotsman) Butgereit, Sr.  She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1946.  Ardis was employed for a time as a secretary at Whirlpool in St. Joseph.  On May 29, 1949, she married Alwyn “Al” Cummings in Benton Harbor.  Ardis was a devoted wife and mother to her family and after raising her children, she worked outside the home for Benton Harbor Area Schools Lunch Program at Fairplain East Elementary & Fairplain Jr. High.  She was a member of the First Church of God where she served as Sunday School Superintendant and as Secretary for the WCG.  Ardis was active with Columbus School PTA and an avid reader. Ardis is survived by her children-Paula (Doug) First of Berrien Springs, Dale Cummings of Benton Harbor, Chris (Terry) Cummings of Berrien Springs, Geoff (Jenny) Cummings of Berrien Springs; nine grandchildren-Matthew (Tammy)  First, Daniel First, Paul Daniel, Evan (Rachael) Cummings, & Wesley (Sandra) Cummings, Chelsea (Colton) Spenner, Cody Cummings, Allen & JoAnna Cummings; & six great-grandchildren-Olivia First, Isaac Cummings, Viktoria Cummings, Preston Preis, Shore & Harbor Spenner.  She  was preceded in death by her husband Al on September 9, 1988, an infant daughter  Patricia Cummings on March 22, 1962, her son Bradley on December 10, 1968,  her parents, her brother Leslie Butgereit, Jr. in 1977, her sister Louise Myers in 2006.