Michael Francis Ritari

1942 - 2025

Michael Francis Ritari

April 23, 1942 - March 16, 2025

On the evening of March 16th, 2025, Mike passed away at the age of 82, surrounded by his loving family. Mike was born April 23rd, 1942 in Ishpeming, Michigan to Marie and Oiva Ritari. Mike and his family moved to Montana, where he grew up and lived his life. Butte is where Mike called home, but he also enjoyed living in Philipsburg, Silver Star, and Whitehall, Montana for short amounts of time.

Mike attended local schools, and later joined the Marine Corps in 1959. He was honorably discharged in 1961. He worked various jobs throughout his life including a boilermaker, and he also performed production work at ASIMI/REC until his retirement.

Mike was proud to be sober for 35+ years. He also enjoyed his meetings playing cribbage and socializing with his many friends he met through AA. His sense of humor and stories enabled him to establish friendships that would last a lifetime, providing him a great amount of happiness.

Mike married Helen Baliling on June 6th, 2008. Together they shared nearly 17 years of marriage, and were blessed with Ava Marie on July 2nd, 2022.

Mike is preceded in death by his mother Marie Lloyd Johnson, father Oiva Michael Ritari, and brother Dennis Ritari.

Mike is survived by his wife Helen; children Mick (Ellie) Scheulen, Lynne (Robert) Carter, Tom (Kathy) Scheulen, step-daughter Stacy Furlong, and Ava Ritari. He is also survived by his nephews Kevin (Stephanie) and son Peyton Ritari, Keith Ritari, Ryan (Jen) and son Kayle Ritari; 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held April 4th, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church located at 4400 Continental Drive, Butte, MT. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., funeral mass at 11:00 a.m., burial following the mass. A reception will follow at Holy Spirit Catholic Church reception hall.