Ardell grew up in O’Fallon, IL, on the family farm. He attended O’Fallon High School and Belleville Area College (SWIC). He served in the Navy for three years on the U.S.S. Boxer. His career included working for Southwestern and Illinois Bell Telephone Company, which spanned 35 years. After his retirement he continued his career as a managing consultant for independent phone companies working throughout the Midwest.
Outside of work Ardell was active in St. Albert’s (Holy Trinity) Parish in Fairview Heights in various capacities.
Family and friends will remember Sunday gatherings with his homemade ice cream.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful daughter, Monica Lois Kombrink; his parents, Sophie, nee Kassing, and William Kombrink; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Elizabeth, nee Grau, Falbe; a brother, Raymond (Lucille) Kombrink; and sisters, Leona (Bill) Malacarne, Florence Distler, and Lorene (Bob) Lurtz.
Surviving are his loving wife of 68 years, Bernice, nee Falbe, Kombrink, whom he married on October 24, 1953;
two daughters, Marsha (Rich) Kurowski and Michelle (Leroy) Gerstenecker,
a son, Mark (Emma) Kombrink;
six grandchildren, Greg Gerstenecker, Gail (Brendon) Weidner,
Rachel (Antonio) Iglesias, Garret (Michaela) Gerstenecker,
Erica Kurowski, Gina Gerstenecker and boyfriend Zach;
eight great-grandchildren;
and many loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the caregivers from Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL, with Fr. James M. Nall officiating. Masks are required.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.