Fredrick D. Rardin, age 65 of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 1, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 1, 1943 in a log cabin home in Cumberland County, Illinois; the son of James and Suzanner (Raymer) Rardin. Fred enlisted in the United States Army in 1960. He served during the Vietnam War at Cam Rahn Bay, served a tour of duty in Germany, two tours of duty in Korea and several state side assignments. Fred retired from the service as a Staff Sergeant in 1980 and returned to Big Rapids. He worked at Kraftube for over 18 years. Fred married Jean Marie Johnson on April 4, 1964 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids. He was a life member and Past Commander of V.F.W. Post #4102 of Big Rapids, a Past Commander of V.F.W. District #12 and a life member and Past Commander of D.A.V. Chapter #18 of Big Rapids. Fred was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids. He is survived by his loving family including his devoted wife, Jean; 5 children; Joan (James) Peterson of Big Rapids Theresa (Willie) Sutton of Reed City Robert Rardin of Big Rapids Fredrick (Deborah) Rardin Jr. of Reed City Annette (Victor) Wooldridge of Pontiac, IL Grandchildren, Katrina (Michael Killian) Peterson, James (Penny) Peterson Jr. Julie (Donovan Newman) Peterson, Michelle Peterson, Brian (Carol Taylor) Sutton, Amelia (Alan White) Sutton, Jennifer Rardin, Nicholas Hitts, Zachary Rardin, Brandon Weston, Brittany Weston, Fredrick Rardin III, Joshua (Elizabeth) Rardin, Mike Somers, Jim (Wendy) Somers, Julie Somers, and Jeanette Wooldridge. great-grandchildren; Jazlyn Peterson, Dominick and Gabriel Peterson, Joshua, Brian and Matthew Benson, Jamie Sutton, , Joseph Orbik IV, Skyler Rardin, Tiffani Evans, Angelica and Michael Jr. Somers, Sabrina, Mariah and Caleb Somers, Brian and Rebecca Somers and Ronald Giese III, A sister, Evelyn Auth of Mattoon, Il, many nieces and nephews and three Godchildren; Sally Jo Witliff, Gary VanAlstine Jr. and Willie Sutton. Besides his parents, Fred was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Rardin, a sister Mary Bolin Wade and 3 infant brothers. A mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 6th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids with Father Lam T. Le officiating. The family will greet friends on Monday, January 5th at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. and a V.F.W. District #12 memorial service at 8:00 p.m. that evening. Memorial contributions may be made to Fred's family. Condolences may be left online at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com