Foster Ardis Jr., 76, of Battle Creek passed away on Monday, March 30, at Bronson Battle Creek hospital, with his family at his side after a 15 year battle with cancer. He was born on July 5, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Foster and Bessie (Hunter) Ardis. As a child he lived in Birmingham, then in Vancouver, Washington and the family finally settled in Detroit, MI. Foster graduated from Cass Tech High School in Detroit. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Texas, Alaska, and Ohio.
On December 28, 1963, he married Mary Parker in Detroit. To this marriage, five children were born, Kay, Kenneth, Mark, Marlene, and Mona. This marriage ended in divorce. Foster than met Alberta Watson and moved back to Birmingham, where their son, Kevin, was born. Foster also helped raise Alberta's son, Ivan. Foster eventually relocated to Michigan and worked at both the Allen Park VA and the Battle Creek VA.
In 1988, he transferred to the Federal Center in Battle Creek where he worked in the DLSC Mail Room and then the DLSC-Z Tape Vault. It was here, he met Toni McPeake. This union was blessed in 1991 with a son, Shayne, and in 2004 with a daughter, Shayla. He also served as a second father to Toni's children, Reggie and Callie. Foster and Toni were married on January 14, 2005 in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Foster retired from the Federal Center in 1995. He then worked as a security guard at TRMI. He eventually went to work for Securitas and was a security guard at WKKI for many years, retiring when his cancer treatments prevented him from continuing to work.
He loved to tell his family, friends and even strangers about his struggles in life, including the fact that he was a recovering alcohol and drug addict....23 years clean. He used his life struggles to help educate others going through some of the same things he endured.
He loved to read books of all types and could talk for days on conspiracy theories.
Foster is survived by his wife, Toni; children, Kay Daniels of Sterling Heights; Kenneth Ardis of Detroit; Mona (Rev. Tim) Ramsey of Indianapolis, IN; Damian Ardis; Kevin Ardis of Birmingham, AL; Shayne (Taylor Pearson) McPeake of Parchment; Shayla Ardis, Callie (Robert Potter) Hull, Reggie (Ellen) Hull all from Battle Creek, and Ivan Watson. He is survived by grandchildren Danielle Daniels, Kenneth Ardis Jr, Ashley Ardis, TJ Ramsey, Devin Ardis, Kevin Ardis, Graycen Finch, and Sterling Hull. He is also survived by siblings Geraldine Hill, Aurelia Ardis, Althea (Rick) McQueen, Edith (Jeffrey) Spencer and Cheryl (Ron) Hill, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, David, twin babies, Mark and Marlene, and a nephew, Terrance Ardis.
Due to gathering restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic, a funeral service cannot be held at this time. Foster will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service.