Anne Ardelle Rietveld
Anne Ardelle (Barnhart) Rietveld, age 93, of Mansfield and longtime resident of the Dayton area, died early Friday morning, January 15, 2021 at her home at The Waterford at Mansfield.
Anne was born two months early, weighing just two and a half pounds, on July 12, 1927 in Shelby, Ohio, she was the sixth child of eight born to Merrill Cleveland and Myrtle Alvina (Molder) Barnhart. Her primary education was in a one room schoolhouse prior to her secondary education at Shelby Senior High School from where she graduated in 1945. Anne furthered her education at Brown College in Columbus where she graduated as a phlebotomist. Although Anne’s mother passed when she was in her early teens, the basics of strong family values, religion, and education remained with her. She never wavered from those teachings.
Throughout her life, Anne had worked at Shelby Hospital as a lab technician, Surface Combustion in Toledo as a legal secretary, and Monsanto in St. Louis as a secretary and later in Dayton when Monsanto managed Mound Laboratories.
Hearing loss as a result of an illness as a toddler turned Anne to reading books on history, biographies, and more. Thus, the opportunity to order slides from the Smithsonian Institute on First Ladies, Presidents, and White House china presented itself and she took advantage. Throughout her life she would give numerous talks and presentations about her interests. The study of history and customs was always of interest to Anne and that interest expanded continually throughout her life. Her numerous associations also included Washington Heights Baptist Church where she was an active member, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Cedarville University.
Anne is survived by her husband of 72 years, Floyd Lewis Rietveld, whom she wed in 1948. Throughout their lives they shared many of the same interests and were completely devoted and dedicated to each other. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Loella Weddell, Henry Barnhart, John Barnhart, Rheabell Hartman, Thomas Barnhart, Bonnie Ginter, and Merrill Junior Barnhart.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 10-11 am at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be held at 11 am. Dr. Paul Dixon, former President of Cedarville University and personal friend of Anne and Floyd, will officiate the services and entombment will be in a private mausoleum at Oakland Cemetery in Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to Cedarville University, give.cedarville.edu.
Appropriate ways to express sympathy for those unable to attend may be done by leaving an online condolence at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on Anne’s obituary on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.
Dear Uncle Floyd,
My condolences to you. I grew up with Aunt Anne and grew old(er) with Aunt Anne. I will always remember our Christmas and Thanksgiving get togethers that we shared. How we always made sure the mash potatoes and gravy were near us at the table. Thanks for all the precious memories. I’m going to miss her. Don’t worry Uncle Floyd. We will take care of you. Till we all meet again in heaven.
Love Jake
so sorry for your loss Floyd. I first got acquainted with Ardell when we both worked at Shelby Hosp. she was a special person. and of course your sister Marie was a great friend when we were students together at MGH. she was my “big sister” in training. May God grant you the peace that passes all understanding. Jane Beeching (Fransens)
Uncle Floyd,
Linda & I grieve with you as Aunt Anne is now in the presence of her Savior. I have known you all my life and found you to always be a very happy Christian man and I know the Lord will walk with you through this time of grief but with the assurance of Aunt Anne’s joy in Christ’s presence.
With Love, John & Linda VanderBilt
– Kalamazoo, Michigan”
Dear Uncle Floyd,
My heart aches for you. There are so many memories of all the times Tim and I got together with you and Aunt Anne during the thirty years we lived in Greenville. Especially when we met at Perkins in Troy. We had some good laughs. I’m so glad I got to see her one last time when you “moved home”. As I promised her in a later conversation, I will take care of you Uncle Floyd, as I did all those times before.
Love and a hug….Bev.
Dear Floyd,
We have just learned of Anne’s going to be with our Lord. We will always have the fondest memories of you both and have really missed our fellowship with you in Bible school class. Anne’s sweet personality was a very, very cheerful addition to our class.
Though we are also saddened to lose her, we happily know that we shall join her again one day in Heaven and, at our age, perhaps soon.
Please accept our deepest sympathy and know that we are continuously praying for you. Also, please know that we hope to once more fellowship with you in the not too distant future.
Lovingly,
Don and Danise Shields
Dear Uncle Floyd,
Well we know now that aunt Anne is walking in Heaven and we are rejoicing in that.
We always enjoyed our times visiting you and Aunt Anne listening to both of you tell your life stories. It was fun going to the Olive Garden with you two.
With Love Jeanie & Dick MacPherson
Kalamazoo, Mi.