Ardon Roark
claremont, NH – Ardon “Stoney” C. Roark, 93, died at the Jack Byrne
Center in Lebanon, NH on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
He was born to Sybel Martin Roark in East Braintree, VT on November
10th, 1931. Shortly thereafter, the family of many siblings moved to
Kittery, ME, only one block behind the Kittery Trading Post. He
attended the Shapleigh School a short walk from the house, then he
attended Trapp Academy.
He was a part of a church youth group in Portsmouth, NH. In that
church, he learned of the need to accept God’s only begotten son,
Jesus Christ as his Savior in his life. He received the calling to
attend seminary school at Providence Bible College where he met his
future wife after sitting side by side alphabetically, at assemblies.
After marriage, he attended linguistics schooling in Rochester, NY to
learn the language of the native American Indian People. Their first
son was born before he went to minister and baptise at the only church
in America that has no roads to it which was in the Grand Canyon. It
was a time of meeting new people and new ways, but still enjoyable for
a young couple. Their only daughter was born there. They served for
several years, then they saw the future needs for their children’s
educational needs. The family moved back East, where Ardon became the
pastor at East Wilton Bible Church and assisted with its educational
wing. His youngest son was born during that vacation. Years later, he
also pastored a community church in Contoocook, NH. The family moved
to Lebanon and he pastored a home church and worked full time at
Dartmouth printing as a proof reader. He led the church and decided to
find land and build a formal church building; the land was selected on
top of Seminary Hill and the Lord’s house was built. After a few
years, later the focus became his family and the need for private
housing. He has a house built in Plainfield countryside.
He attended Meriden Baptist church in Claremont, NH and was a member
of Charlestown Bible church.
He enjoyed gardening, painting, singing in church, and humor over his
nearly 94 years.
He was married to Jean Ridley Roark, a caring and loving wife and
mother for 52 years until her untimely passing. He then married Marie
Munz, a sweet Christian lady for another 13 years, until her passing.
He independently lived on his own for the last several years.
His remaining family are Ryan Roark and his wife Roberta of
Blackstone, Massachusetts; daughter Cheryl Irizarry of West Lebanon
and son David Roark and his wife Janette of Claremont, NH; and
grandsons Steve “Estaban” Irrizary and David Irrizary
God has given eternal life in his son Jesus 1 John 5:11.
Graveside committal services will be held Saturday, September 27th at
11AM in the Riverside Cemetery in Springvale, Maine.