THELMA LEOTA (RICKARD) LIDSTER

Thelma Leota (Rickard) Lidster, 96 of Blissfield, Michigan, passed away at 5:15 a.m. on February 29, 2008, in the Provincial House of Adrian, Michigan. Thelma was born March 31, 1911, in Deerfield, Michigan to the late Hayes McDonald and Mary Ellanora (Blanton) Rickard.

Thelma was the widow of Arland E. Lidster. They were married on December 25, 1949. She was a member of the Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene and the Missionary Society for 58 years serving in many offices. She was an excellent cook and baker.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five brothers, two sisters, one grandson Kurt McNeil, two daughters Dorothy Florine Baker and Beth SharonMeyer.
She is survived by one son Cloyce Lidster (Elaine) of Dalhart, Texas, two daughters Joyce McNeil of Bellaire, Michigan and Jeanette DeWitt of Stryker, Ohio, two son-in-laws Donald Baker of Clinton, Michigan and James Meyer of Tucson, Arizona, one sister-in law Leoma Rickard of Tecumseh, Michigan, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit on March 8, 2008, during the hours of 2 to 8 p.m. at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, Michigan on 2959 N. Adrian Highway  (M- 52).  

Funeral service will be at the Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene on Ridge Road in Ridgeway, Michigan on March 9, 2008, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ray Hansen and Rev. Mike Dunson officiating.  Burial will follow in Ridgeway Cemetery, Ridgeway.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missionary Society of the Church of the Nazarene.  Condolences to the family may be made at www.pursefuneralhome.com

A yellow rose once grew where all could see.
Sheltered beside a garden wall
and as the days passed swiftly by
It spread its branches straight and tall.

One day a beam of light shone through
a crevice that had opened wide.
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
then passed beyond to the other side.

How, you who deeply feel its loss
be comforted, the rose blooms there.
Its beauty even greater now
nurtured by God's own loving care.