Ruben Ryder Obituary (1933 - 2004)

GARDINER -- Ruben Rosevelt Ryder, 70, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at Augusta Rehabilitation Center in Augusta, following a long illness. He was born in New Brunswick, Canada, on Dec. 27, 1933, the son of Ephraim and Flora (Bonville) Ryder. Ruben served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed by Butler Twins Florist for 14 years, followed by 17 years with the state Bureau of Public Improvement, from which he retired in 1986. Following retirement, he volunteered at the Togus VA Hospital for six years. Ruben was an avid bowler and a die-hard Red Sox fan. He is survived by his wife of 44 1/2 years, Jean (Webster) Ryder, of Gardiner; his three sons, Kenneth Ryder and his wife, Leona, of Grantham, N.H., Jeffrey Ryder of Goodwater, Ala., and Jon Ryder and his wife, Karen, of Augusta; four brothers, Alga Ryder, twin brother Robert Ryder of Morton, Ill., Ronald Ryder of Dexter, and Ralph Ryder of Southington, Conn.; two sisters, Sterline Epling of Greenville, S.C., and Nancy Ellis of Rockville, Md.; seven grandchildren, Melissa, Lindsey, Mark, Whitney, and Bria Ryder and Brian and Becky Lovejoy; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. Following, a graveside committal service will be held at 11 a.m. at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. After the burial, all are welcome for a gathering at Jon and Karen's house, 11 Coughlin St., Augusta. For those who wish, donations in Mr. Ryder's memory may be made to National Parkinson's Foundation, Mary Ann Sprinkle, Director of Development, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494. http//:www.khrfuneralhomes.com