Gordon Rider

Gordon Rider, 93, born in Hart, MI on May 29, 1930 to Iva and Seymour Rider, died peacefully in his home at Lake Waynoka, OH on August 12, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Gordon is survived by his three daughters, Lizabeth Doss, Lois Pobanz, and Gina Williams, and sons-in-law Jeff Pobanz and Dennis Williams. He is also survived by grandchildren: Phillip Burmeister, Laura Killackey, Holly Rider, Aaron Burmeister, Karyn Hunt, Marisa van der Hoeven, Dr. Hallie Pobanz, James Williams, Dr. Tessa Pobanz, Carter Pobanz, Schyler Freeman, nine great grandchildren, and his brother, Robert "Bob" Rider of Hart, MI, his sister-in-law, Sandra Gleason of Holland, MI as well as many members of his extended family and church family at Winchester United Methodist Church.

In heaven he is joining his wife of 61 years, Edna "Peg" Rider, who died in 2010, grandson Jeff Rider Pobanz, and son-in-law Richard Joe Doss as well as two brothers and three sisters.

Of his accomplishments, Gordon was most proud of providing for and helping to raise three strong and loving daughters, and instilling in them the values of kindness, fairness, and honesty. He also made participating in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren a life priority. Gordon believed in the dignity of hard work and the value of service to others. Among the ways he lived these beliefs was through his many years of volunteer service, including several decades as a volunteer EMT and fire fighter, in the leadership he provided to his community and church, and in his trips to Mexico to help build homes in impoverished communities. Beyond these formal roles, throughout his life Gordon extended support to many neighbors, friends, and young people who needed a little help in overcoming life's challenges-everything from shoveling a driveway to providing a temporary home for a young person in need.

Born on a farm, Gordon's love of growing things was also a source of life-long learning. He delighted in experimenting in his garden, growing everything from bananas and citrus to pawpaws and asparagus and hundreds upon hundreds of tomatoes. He could be counted on to show up at church or send guests home with baskets of garden bounty. He loved nature and music-many grandchildren learned to fish at his side, he was devoted to feeding the birds and he both enjoyed singing in the church choir and beamed with pride when his Rider girls sang.

We will remember Gordon as a father, grandfather, neighbor and friend who tirelessly exercised his great strength of body, mind, heart, and faith to make the lives of those around him just a bit better. May God welcome his soul to rest.