Raymond Lester RITZ

FUNERAL HOME

Ellinger-Kunz Funeral Home & Springfield Crematory

530 North Fifth Street

Springfield, Illinois

Raymond RITZ Obituary

Raymond Lester Ritz

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Raymond Lester Ritz, 81, passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, at Capitol Healthcare.

Raymond was born Jan. 20, 1932, in Springfield. He was the son of Leland and Rose Potter. He married Patricia "Pat" Higgins on Dec. 16, 1951, in Macon, Ga.

He was a veteran of the Korean War with the USAF and a member of the American Legion. He was manager of General Finance in Galesburg before moving to Springfield. He opened Ritz's Lil Fryer in 1970 and his son, Curt, owns and runs it now. He moved to Danville where he started Payday Motors for the Green family until his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Debra Ritz-Mansmith.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; three sons: Leland (Cindy), Jeffery and Curtis (Vicky) Ritz; one daughter, Cheryl Scroggins; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home with Pastor Stacy Barnett officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail will conduct honors.

Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home, 530 N. 5th St., Springfield, IL 62702 is in charge of arrangements. Visit our online obituary at www.ellingerkunzfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The State Journal-Register on Oct. 3, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond RITZ

6 Entries

Steve Young aka Big Steve O!

September 27, 2020

Curt & Vicky, Jarrod to Lee & Cindy and to all of the Ritz family I am so very sorry for your loss. I never had the the pleasure of meeting Mr Ritz, but if he was anything like his sons, then he was a Great Guy! Praying that God's Holy Spirit will give you comfort and strength.

Michelle Scroggins

October 3, 2013

OMG!!!! I LOVE this photo of my grandpa!!! Oh how I will miss this smile!!! God, I love this man!!!!

Steve Young

October 3, 2013

Curt, Lee, and the rest of the Family. I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I remember as a kid going to Wanless and walking by Ritz's Lil Fryer and then later when I worked for Spfld Bakers Supply selling Curt and Jarrod product for both places. I pray that you all can find peace, rest and comfort for the days ahead. Trust in the Lord and His peace will give you comfort and rest.

Lee Ritz

October 3, 2013

You will be missed Dad.

Jim (Popcorn),Joyce,Jaime,Jana,Jenell and Jill

October 3, 2013

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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