SIMON, Ardis Fern

Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ Published on October 5, 2012 - Ardis Fern Simon died at the age of 92 on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at Goodwill Mennonite Retirement Home in Grantsville, Md. She was born in Snohomish, Wash., the daughter of Bessie and Charles Daugherty. She loved to play "honky-tonk" piano. She played piano most of her life, writing songs and playing in bands. Ardis is survived by daughters Judy Prather and son-in-law Tim Prather of McHenry, Md., and Darleen Aragon of Dove, Del.; as well as son Alvin Bales of Delmar, Del. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Ardis was preceded in death by her brother, Glenn; sisters, Donna Wandling, Veda Norton and Zoe Grogan; and son, Leland White. She was also preceded in death by granddaughters Tiffany Bales and April White-Bartlett; grandson, Aaron White; great-granddaughter, Autumn Babb; and great-grandson, John Ralph Gaddy-Aragon. Ardis, known as "Ardie" to her friends, grew up in Washington state and lived mostly in Washington and Oregon until her later years. She met and married Carl Harder in 1976 and they traveled the west and settled in Chloride until Carl passed in 1986. In 1989, Ardie married Bill Simon and they settled in Kingman, until Bill passed in 2007. Special friends and neighbors Buck and Barbara Nichols and Janet Reed were wonderful caregivers at this time. In order to have her mother close, daughter Judy Prather and husband Tim Prather moved Ardis to Maryland where she lived at Goodwill Mennonite Retirement Home. She lived in assisted living for two years and then in nursing for two years. Even at the age of 90, she played piano for the residents of Goodwill. She had a wonderful sense of humor and will be missed. Ardis was a member of Eagles Auxiliary since 1949. She was also a member of American Legion Post 22 and a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 10386. She organized the Chloride VFW Post 2190 and was Auxiliary president for three years. She often played for VFW events. A memorial service will be held in the spring at the VFW Hall in Kingman. Memorials in her name may be made to Big Sister Yoga Project, 5255 23rd Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98106, www.bigsisteryogaproject.com. Newman Funeral Homes, P.A., 179 Miller St., Grantsville, MD, were in charge of cremation arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.newmanfuneralhomes.com.