George E. Ritzman

George E. Ritzman, 89, of Sandusky, OH and formerly of Marblehead and Toledo, OH, died Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Ohio Veteran's Home, Sandusky, OH. He was born on April 23, 1919 in Toledo, the son of the late George L. and Bessie (Enderlin) Ritzman. On June 22, 1940 he married Ruth Reinwald and she preceded him in death on September 6, 1993. He then married Suzanne Amato on December 12, 1997 and she survives. George was a veteran of the United States Army, having served his country during WWII. He spent 38 years active and reserve duty, retiring with the rank of a Master Sergeant. He was formerly employed by the Ohio Department of Transportation, retiring in 1981. He also worked for Bunting Brass Machinery Shop in Toledo for many years. George was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Marblehead, OH; life member and past commander of the Marblehead VFW Post #7572; life member of the American Legion Post # 083, Sandusky; past member of the Order of Eastern Star, Port Clinton; member of the Elks Lodge #1718, Port Clinton; life member of the Disabled Veterans; past zoning inspector for Danbury Township from 1980-1981; and past Danbury Township Trustee from 1982-1984. On December 3, 2008, at the Ohio Veteran's Home in Sandusky, George received his 60 year award presented to him by the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio. George was a 32nd Degree Mason belonging to the Oliver H. Perry Masonic Lodge #341 in Port Clinton where he served as Tyler for many years. He was also a member of the Valley of Toledo Scottish Rite Temple and a member of Zenobia Shrine Temple in Toledo where he belonged to the Legion of Honor. Survivors include his wife: Suzanne; daughter: Sandy (Dale) Snyder, Brighton, MI; son: John (Diane) Ritzman, Jensen Beach, FL; grandchildren: Chris (Sandy) Snyder, Alison (Michael) McNeill, Nicole Payne, Dawn (Jamie) Yurillo, Daphne (Bob) Halenar; great grandchildren: Alex & Ryan Snyder, Summer & Chance McNeill, Saylor & Regan Payne, Victoria, James, John William Yurillo; step daughters: Diane Gast, Perrysburg, OH and Pamela (Richard) Rasmussen, Genoa, OH; step son: Ronald Schaefer, Jr., Elyria, OH; step grandsons: Christopher Schaefer, David Gast, Ryan & Benjamin Rasmussen. He was preceded in death by a grandson: Eric Edward Neal Snyder, step granddaughter: Brandy Schaefer and an infant sister. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 15, from 2-8 PM at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 7755 E. Harbor Road, Lakeside-Marblehead, Peninsula Chapel where Masonic services will be held at 6:30 PM and where VFW services will be held at 7:30 PM. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 16 at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, 117 Stone Street, Marblehead, with Reverend Christina L. Young, officiating. Burial will follow in Sackett Cemetery with military honors being given by members of VFW Post #7572, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio Veterans Home or to the Lakeside or Marblehead Fire Departments.