Charles "Charlie" Benjamin Ridlon

Charles Benjamin Ridlon, 50, a resident of rural Fredonia, Kansas, died unexpectedly on Friday, March 26, 2010, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was born April 22, 1959 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the son of Paul B. and Wanda Lee (Andrew) Ridlon. Charlie was a graduate of Memorial High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and earned certification as a specialist of non-destructive testing of metals from Spartan Technical School. On August 8, 1990, in Wichita, Kansas, he married Veda Starks. She survives at their home. Charlie and Veda made their home in Conway Springs, Kansas and Greeley, Colorado, before settling in rural Fredonia. Charlie had worked at the Port of Catoosa for a few years, then for Wolfson, Inc., located in Harper, Kansas. Most recently he was a pumper for Dart Energy. Charlie and Veda had also served as camp hosts at Fall River Lake. His favorite times were spent outside, a little hunting and a lot of fishing. He also spent hours playing with the dirt bikes. Charlie was a gifted mechanic. Veda"s nickname for him was "MacGuyver" as he could fix anything with unusual tools and equipment. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Veda, include: His parents: Paul and Wanda Ridlon of Tulsa, Oklahoma One daughter: Jayme Leigh Ridlon of Tulsa, Oklahoma One sister: Mary Lou Ridlon of Vero Beach, Florida Two brothers: Ronald Lee Ridlon of Sebastian, Florida Don Paul Ridlon of Edmond, Oklahoma His mother-in-law: Pauline Meredith of Fredonia, Kansas Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Timmons Chapel with Rev. Gene Benefiel of the Buxton Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in the Farmington Cemetery, north of Fredonia. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. A memorial has been established in Charlie"s name with the Orthopaedic Research Society and may be sent to the funeral home. Words of condolence for the family may be left on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736, is in charge of the arrangements.