Jerald "Jerry" Ritz , 61, of Burlington, died at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at his home.
Born Sept. 2, 1947, in Lima, Ohio, he was the son of J. Howard and Annabelle Lazenby Ritz. On May 30, 1970, he married Patricia A. Bienko in Toledo, Ohio.
Jerry worked at Federal Mogul/Champion Spark Plug for 39 years.
He was a graduate of Hamler High School in Hamler, Ohio.
He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and in the Ohio Air National Guard for 22 years.
Jerry was a member of Ss. John & Paul Catholic Church, and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Burlington Aerie #150. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, old car shows, and his 1968 Firebird. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Pat; one son, Jerald W. "Jerry" Ritz Jr. of Stryker, Ohio; one daughter, Cynthia A. Ritz of Burlington; four grandchildren, Caston Ritz, Emily Sommers, Lynken Ritz, and Raegyn Ritz; three brothers, John Ritz of Hamler, Ohio, Steve Ritz of McClure, Ohio, and Robert Ritz of New Haven, Ind.; two sisters, Dianna Delventhal of Hamler, Ohio, and Cheryl Arbogast of Chardon, Ohio; and several neices and nephews.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, grandparents, one brother, two nieces, and one nephew.
Visitation will be from noon until 6 p.m. with the family to receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009 at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Ritz will be 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home with Father Patrick J. Hilgendorf officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. As per Jerry’s request, his body will be cremated following the services. Inurnment will be in at a later date in Ohio.
A memorial has been established to Great River Hospice.
The Hass-Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Jerry’s obituary at www.hassthielen.com.
