Arden was born on June 21, 1935, in Alma, Michigan to Roland and Zenona Bancroft. At a young age, Arden moved to Lansing with his family where he was thrilled to be a star basketball player at Lansing Eastern High School. He then went to Western Michigan University where he played basketball, joined the National Guard, and was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. While at Western Michigan, Arden met Kay Larsen. They became engaged and were married on September 1, 1956.
Upon graduation from college, Arden and Kay moved to Lansing where they became members of South Baptist Church. Arden joined the Schering-Plough (Merck) Corporation as a professional pharmaceutical sales representative where he stayed for 43 years. After retirement, Arden spent 25 years working on the family farm in Alma, which was a Centennial farm. Arden loved farming, but he also had a great love for hunting and fishing. He spent many years on the big lakes and prairies of the West.
Arden is survived by his wife, Kay and his three daughters, Lorra (Jon) Knapp of Bear Lake, Keri (Ric) Lyman of Concord, Massachusetts, and Shelly (Peter) Nesbett of Annapolis, Maryland; as well as his grandsons, Christopher and Benjamin Lyman; and his brother, Gary Spade of Chicago, Illinois.
There will be no services at this time. Per Arden’s wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life on the farm in Alma at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Arden may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or South Church.
Online condolences may be sent at www.gorslineruncimandewitt.com.
