Nov. 21, 1954 — Nov. 10, 2015

Jeffrey B. Ryder, 60, of Dowagiac, passed away, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at noon at The First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac, 326 N. Lowe Street, Dowagiac, with Pastor Kel Penny officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, West Michigan Chapter, 4595 Broadmoor Ave., SE #230, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512. Those wishing to share a memory or leave a condolence of Jeff online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Jeff was born Nov. 21, 1954, in Hammond, Indiana to Jack and Doris (Harl) Ryder. He was a lifelong resident of Dowagiac. He married Polly (Holbury) Smith on May 14, 1988, who preceded him in death in December 2013. Jeff attended Dowagiac Union High School and graduated in 1973. While waiting to attend college he worked briefly as a radio personality at WDOW in Dowagiac and WRBR in Mishawaka, Indiana. He later attended the University of Michigan where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1978, then attended Southwestern Michigan College in 1979. Jeff then furthered his education at Western Michigan University where he received his Master’s Degree in Political Science in 1981. Jeff loved to play chess in his spare time and would often challenge his granddaughters to a game which they won every time. Jeff was a past member of the Beckwith Theater and the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival. He loved all genres of music and played guitar and the banjo. Jeff also loved playing Trivia Pursuit and loved to challenge anyone to a Jeopardy TV game show play along. Jeff enjoyed TV shows from the 1960s including “The Fugitive” and especially detective thrillers. Often, while caring for his wife Polly, he would enjoy WWII programs on the History channel.

Jeff is survived by a stepson, Paul (Christine) Potter, of Dowagiac, Michigan; his two grandchildren, Madison and Sienna Potter of Dowagiac, Michigan, four siblings: Jack (Cathy) Ryder, Jr. of Fairfield, California, Jody (Jean-Claude) Fhal of Glendale, California, Jennifer Talbot of Orchard Park, New York and Jon (Lina) Ryder of Dorr, Michigan. He also leaves behind three nieces and six nephews: William and Genevieve Ryder, Emily and Daniel Parraguez, Adam, Benjamin and Nicholas Talbot and Jonathan and Kelsey Ryder. Jeff was preceded in death by his wife, Polly and his parents.