Raymond Paul And Rose Marie Bidwell

Bidwell, Raymond Paul and Rose Marie
2018
Ray Bidwell passed away on March 28, 2018, at the age of 91 years. His wife of nearly 68 years, Rose Marie (nee Cusic), passed weeks later on July 1st just 4 days from her 91st birthday. A native of Brighton, MI, Ray attended Western Michigan University and Iowa State University under the United States Navy Pilot training program from 1944 to 1946. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946 and finished his college education at Michigan State University, earning a degree in civil engineering on the GI Bill. Rose Marie (Rosie) was raised on a farm outside Brighton and graduated from New Hudson High School, MI, class of 1945. Surviving Ray and Rosie are their sons, Joseph (Diane) Bidwell of Indianapolis, IN, Daniel (Elizabeth) Bidwell of Columbus, OH, and their daughter, Linda (Tim) Irwin of Columbus. Four grandchildren, Peter (Jessica) Bidwell of Indianapolis, IN, Annie (David) Reynolds of Chicago, Ill, Lucy Bidwell and Shane Bidwell of Columbus, OH also survive them. Ray and Rosie raised a loving family in Columbus and were active in the local schools and Methodist church. They spent many years leading the Methodist Youth Fellowship group at Eastview Methodist Church in Whitehall, OH. Their marriage survived the year they served as co-chairs of the Pinecrest Elementary Fun Fair. Their involvement with their children's' lives continued throughout high school, usually in the form of apologizing to the principal or one teacher or another. Ray was a student of history and restored his father's (Henry) World War II diary kept while serving as a 42 year-old naval Seabee during the Solomon Island campaign. Ray made gifts of this book to several family members to remember the sacrifices made for our freedom. Rosie continued to devote nearly all her life to her family and deeply involved herself in their triumphs and setbacks. She forbade anyone criticizing her children or grandchildren. That was her privilege alone. She also found time to volunteer as a teacher's aid working with special needs children. All those who knew them will sorely miss them both. The interment of ashes will take place on Saturday, November 17, 11am at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.