Lewis Ridenour, 72, of LaPorte, IN, passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018.
He was born Sept. 23, 1946, in Fort Wayne, IN, to the late Paul and Juanita (Leeth) Ridenour.
Lewis has been married to Elizabeth (Smith) for 50 years.
Lewis graduated from Ball State University in 1968. He taught German from 1968-1970. He served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974. When he came home from the Air Force, he was a bank officer and credit union manager from 1975-2012. He also was a member of LaPorte Zoning Board, the Fire Merit Commission, Past President of the Downtown Redevelopment Commission, Past President of Kiwanis, Habitat for Humanity, and Indiana Credit Union League.
Lewis loved history and collected items from The Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. He also enjoyed reading, model building, playing war games, board games, and role-playing games. He was a musician and loved jazz and listening to Jethro Tull. He also was famous for his homemade liqueurs.
Lewis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; a son, Paul Ridenour of Providence, Rhode Island; a daughter, Anne (Evan) Karn of Carmel, IN; two grandchildren, Annalisa and Jack Karn; and two cousins, Judy White and Barbara Grignol.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister Lois Ridenour.
A Celebration of Life will be from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at Best Western Plus, 444 Pine Lake Ave., LaPorte. Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity at habitat.org or Polycystic Kidney Foundation, 1001 E 101st Terrace, Suite 220, Kansas City, MO 64131; or Kiwanis Club of LaPorte, P.O. Box 75, LaPorte, IN 46352.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.