Richard C. Biddinger

Richard C. Biddinger, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at United Hospice Service in Marlette.

Richard was born June 24, 1936 at home on the family farm near Pompeii, Michigan during the Great Depression. From a very young age, he learned to work on the farm. He graduated from high school in St. Johns went on to attend Albion College where he met and fell in love with Alice Laking, whom he would marry two years later. They enjoyed sixty years of marriage before Alice passed in 2018.

Richard worked in the manufacturing industry for forty-six years. He was Plant Manager of Hydramet in Caro for fifteen years before he and his business partner, David Sturtevant, purchased Engineered Tools in Roseville and moved the business to Cass City in 1980. In 1985, Richard and his son Greg purchased Anrod Screen Cylinder Co. in Cass City.

Richard was involved in community service throughout his life. He was a member of the Caro Rotary Club, the Mt. Moriah No. 226 Masonic Lodge, and the Caro United Methodist Church. He was a Cub Scout leader, Methodist Youth Fellowship leader, and served on the Board of Directors for the Caro Community Hospital, State Savings Bank, and Chemical Bank. Richard and Alice were passionate about helping young people further their education. They founded the Biddinger Family Foundation to help expand learning opportunities for elementary and grade school students in the Caro and Cass City communities. Those who knew him remember his work ethic, determination, engineering and leadership skills, kindness, and generosity.

Richard and Alice enjoyed traveling the world and were active members of several social clubs in Caro. They hosted foreign exchange students from Australia and Belgium. Richard enjoyed investing in the stock market, strawberry shortcake, hobby farming and hunting with his sons, and spending winters in Florida and summers at Sand Point with family and friends. His partner, Sheila Patterson, added much joy to his life in the years after Alice’s passing.

Richard is survived by his partner, Sheila Patterson of Toronto, Ontario; sons, Greg (Michelle) Biddinger of Cass City and Kent (Ann Marie) Biddinger of Midland; grandchildren, Ryan (Spencer) Biddinger of Traverse City, Lynn (Kirk) Lester of Grand Blanc, Reid Biddinger of Mount Clemens, and Scott Biddinger of Salt Lake City, Utah; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Kathleen (Michael) Verlinde of St. Johns, Michigan. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; parents, Clayton and Marjorie Biddinger; and brother, Gary Biddinger. The family would like to thank United Hospice Service for the excellent care they provided to Richard.

In keeping with Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Ransford Funeral Home in Caro. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Friday, March 13, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Biddinger Family Fund of the Tuscola County Community Foundation (TCCF, PO Box 534, Caro, MI 48723).