Miriam Louise Ridinger

Miriam was a longtime Kent resident Miriam Ridinger, 93, passed away peacefully July 16, 2023. Born in Akron, Ohio on January 15, 1930, she was the daughter of Ward Wetzel and Evelyn Lindsay Wetzel. She was married for 68 years to her beloved husband, Gerald “Jug” Ridinger, before he passed away in 2020.

Miriam graduated from Buchtel High School in 1947. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Otterbein College in 1951 and a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1952. She worked as a librarian at the Ohio State University from 1952-1956. After taking time to raise a family of four children, Miriam was a librarian at Field Junior High School from 1973-1985.

Miriam was a member of the Kent United Church of Christ and an active leader in several organizations and social groups including Epsilon Kappa Tau sorority, the Girl Scouts, Couples Club, and Round Robin. She enjoyed traveling, hosting holiday events, and spending time with family and friends. Miriam was positive, kind, generous, and caring. She had a wonderful sense of humor and will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Miriam is survived by her children, Rick Ridinger of Akron, and Lynn Ridinger of Virginia Beach; grandchildren Andy Ridinger, Jon Ridinger, Katie Ridinger, Becky Allred, Lindsay White, Amy Hord, Matt Ridinger, and Jason Reeves; and great-grandchildren Nathan, Ryan, Lorraine, Samantha, Jacob, and Miles Allred, and Evelyn, Olivia, and Isaac Ridinger. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jug Ridinger, daughter, Sue Reeves, and son, Mike Ridinger.

A Celebration of Life service for both Miriam and Jug will be held in the chapel at the Kent United Church of Christ on Friday, August 4^th at 2 p.m. The church is located at 1400 E. Main St., Kent, OH 44240. Per Miriam’s request, after the service there will be an ice cream social at the church!  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Otterbein University or to the Susan Ridinger Reeves Memorial Fund at the Kent UCC.