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Michael Rittenhouse Obituary
URBANA – Michael D. "Mike" "Chicken" Rittenhouse, 50, of Urbana, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2014, in Ohio State Medical Center, Columbus.
He was born December 27, 1963, in Urbana and was a 1982 graduate of Urbana High School. Following high school, he served his country in the United States Army. Mike worked as a screen printer for W Productions in Urbana and was a Humane Society Volunteer. He enjoyed football, music, film and art of all kinds. Mike was known for his generosity to others and will be truly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his parents, Rodney and Phyllis (Branham) Rittenhouse; sisters, LaDeana L. (Alan E.) Fryling of Bellefontaine and their daughter, Elizabeth Fryling of Urbana, and Karen S. (Chadd M.) Rozmus of Lexington, SC, and their sons, Brandon M. Rozmus, serving full-time LDS Mission in Papeete, Tahiti, and Jeramia A. Rozmus of Lexington, SC; former spouse and dear friend, Lisa Rittenhouse of Springfield; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and close friends who loved him.
Mike was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Homer and Minnie Alice Rittenhouse and maternal grandparents, Mitchell H. and Mary Lou Branham.
A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2014, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4400 Derr Rd., Springfield, OH 45503, with Bishop Bruce Jensen officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 4-7 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana.
Services are entrusted to VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Urbana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vernon Funeral Home, 235 Miami St., Urbana, OH 43078, to help offset funeral expenses. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Rittenhouse
Alan Kizer
January 8, 2014
Can't believe I just saw your obituary. You will be missed!!! Tonight I will be remembering some good times playing ball together!!!
Andy Heister
January 8, 2014
Here was a truly generous man who never knew a stranger. Loved by all who had the honor to meet him. Heaven held out as long as possible before he was called. I won't say goodbye, just "see you later", my friend.
January 8, 2014
Mike, I will always remember the Buffet concerts, Key West trip and our giant Marvin the Martian snowman. You are truely missed
Deb Heister
January 7, 2014
Mike, you will always live in our hearts and prayers. He was such a special person!
Cindy Tillman
January 7, 2014
Mike you will be truly missed. Prayers goes out to your family.May God bless them.
Michael Brandeberry
January 6, 2014
I have many fond childhood memories of Mike and he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Rittenhouse family and I am so sorry for your loss.
Anne (FitzRandolph) Kirst
January 6, 2014
I wish I had more recent memories of Mike, but my memories will be with me forever...How he always made me laugh on Saturday mornings at bowling and how at a reunion, it seemed like only 20 days had passed since we talked instead of 20 years. Enjoy Heaven, Mike. You'll be missed here on earth.
Toby & Laurel Taylor
January 6, 2014
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will miss you and your great sense of humor. You always knew how to brighten a room.
Carol Kelly
January 6, 2014
My thoughts, love and prayers are with you.
Lori (Scott) Patterson
January 6, 2014
To the Rittenhouse family,
I am keeping you close in thought and prayers. I remember Mike from when I started bowling in middle school. I always enjoyed bowling with his team on the same lane as us. He was always funny and always a gentleman. One Friday night in high school I was driving rather late (?midnite) and saw him walking. I stopped and picked him up and he said he was walking back to his house after he had walked his date home from the football game. I will always cherish my memories of Mike.
Alana Inskeep
January 6, 2014
To Karen and her family, I'm so very sorry to hear about Mike. Such an outgoing and friendly person. Truly a one of a kind guy who would brighten up your day when you saw him.
Take care,
JANET MCCONNELL
January 6, 2014
Rittenhouse family, so sorry for your loss. I always remember Mike as a very nice young man who was friends with my son,Michael Brandeberry.You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Terri Thompson
January 5, 2014
Mike,
A few weeks ago I ran into you. We greeted with a smile and a hug, as always. I didn't know it would be for the last time. So many people are grieving and will miss you, I will miss you. You were such a sweet and good friend to everyone! My hope is that you knew how many lives you touched. May God give your family and friends strength and comfort them.
Rest in Peace my friend,
Until I see you again...
Love,
Terri
liz bos
January 5, 2014
Rest in peace dear friend
liz bos
January 5, 2014
Had so much fun working with mike he was a wonderful person a true friend to me as well as everyone that knew him i will miss him dearly and my deepest sympathy 2 his family during this difficult time. RIP Chicken.
Louie Toms
January 5, 2014
always had a great time with you at work, and outside of work.
Michelle Hairston
January 5, 2014
RIP Chick. You will be terribly missed. You always put a smile on everyones face. I know that there is a big party in heaven.
Rick Trimble UHS Class of 84
January 5, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to the Rittenhouse family. I have many memories shared with Mike; going to Reds games, playing many softball games, going "Uptown", Pat O'Malley's, Flag Football, and just hanging out at his family's house on Reynolds street. That was a place where everyone felt welcomed. A great guy taken far too soon. Miss you, Bro..
January 5, 2014
So sad to hear of Mikes passing played a lot of ball back in the day with him what a fun guy to be around you will be missed my friend Don "Catfish" Lewis R.I.P. Chicken house
Jeff Couts
January 5, 2014
You will be missed Mike. So glad to have had the opportunity to spend some time chatting with you at the last class reunion. May God be with your family and friends to comfort them.
Jeff & Lisa Dunham
January 5, 2014
I'll miss you man, you're good friend, don't know who I'll get in trouble with now. you always had a big heart.
Betsy Hecker
January 5, 2014
Prayers sent for the family. I had a lot of good times with Mike. He always made you laugh and have a good time. May god help you through this hard time in life.
mary watkins
January 4, 2014
sorry for your loss
Darryl Randall
January 4, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Karla Markley Hall
January 4, 2014
My heart goes out to Mike's family and the many, many people who loved him. Mike was always such a truly good guy with a kind word and a warm greeting for everyone. Our prayers are with you.
Jill Strickrott-Fischer
January 4, 2014
My prayers and thoughts are with your family, I knew Mike and his sisters for years growing up around the corner, I saw him a few years ago and by chance HE knew ME! He talked like he's seen me yesterday...I'm so sorry and may you find peace in the memories like these...
Kim Nichols (Weese)
January 4, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with your family! Mike was an amazing, caring and loving person! He always had a smile and a kind word! RIP Mike and watch over us still here! You are definitely in a better place than we are! You will be greatly missed!
bobby Nickerson
January 4, 2014
we had a lot of good times and fun the 80's was the best we done a lot of stuff we should of not done but it was a blast love ya buddy you will be missed
January 4, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jim Dwyer
January 4, 2014
I first met Mike playing basketball at Cottrell's outdoor court in Urbana some 40 odd years ago. I,like everyone who knew him, loved him right away. He was always quick with a smile and loved to laugh. It was infectious. We lost touch after high school while he was in the military and later while he worked on cruise ships. We saw each other again years later on the softball fields of Springfield Ohio and I invited him to start playing on my teams, which he did for many years. In addition to be a great player, everyone just loved being around him. His Harry Cary impression always had everyone in stitches. I remember one game in particular where the umpires allowed us to play in the rain after we begged them to let us continue. It was raining cats and dogs. Mike was on 1st when someone hit a ball into the outfield. Mike rounded second and did a head first slide that he started halfway (maybe a little exaggerated) between 2nd and 3rd. He not only made it all the way to third, but halfway to the fence beyond it. Because of all the water on the field, he created a tidal wave that drenched the third baseman. It was awesome....and the funniest thing I ever saw on a softball field. We still talk about it, and his Harry Cary impression, to this day. Many times Mike would come to my house in those years, where we shared a lot of good times. He made those times even more special because of his love of people and sense of humor. We all loved Chicken, and will miss him terribly. May the good lord bless and keep close the friends and family of Mike Rittenhouse in this time of sorrow. To Mike, I love you my brother.
Robin Bahan-Starner
January 4, 2014
Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike will be always be watching over us with that smile of his, continuing to guide us to live life to its fullest.
I love you all and send much love, hugs and prayers.
Jody Boardman
January 4, 2014
Thinking of your family during a difficult time. Mike will be missed and heaven has gained another angel.
Michael & Toni Mossbarger
January 4, 2014
Our dear friend Mike, we will miss our talks and you're smiling face .No more pain for you.. Great memories of you will last forever. God bless you're family and wrap you're loving arms around them from above. RIP our dear friend . Love you always
brian nixon
January 4, 2014
I just want to say , thank you mike . we met in 6th grade, and became friends from that point. we were on a bowling team in 1979, where we won the league championship together. proud time for me , although mike was a true champion anyways. always pushing to be tops !! gotta love him for that . He was the kind of man that would bust his butt acrossed WALMART , to say hello, and how you been . I LOVE YOU MIKE !! thank you for being a part of my life. god speed brother . coot
Aileen McLaughlin-Horch
January 4, 2014
So many years and so many memories. I can close my eyes and still see that ornery smile and hear that wonderful laugh of yours.
My love and sympathy go out to the entire family. Such a close family left with such a huge void. I love you all so much and am just so heartbroken for all of you.
Leona Minnich
January 4, 2014
Phyllis and Rodney, so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers to you and your family. Take care be safe and stay warm.
Cindy Champ-Farrow
January 4, 2014
RIP Mike. Prayer for the family - making your brightest memories light your way.....in your darkest hours.
Cindy (Champ) Farrow
Tampa, FL
Susan (Hancock) O'Bryant ('83)
January 4, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Dan and Shaun (Stewart) Hunt
January 4, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mikes family. As difficult as this has been on those of us privileged to be his friend, I cannot imagine the family's pain. Mike was a phenomenal person who was a special friend for most of my life. RIP my dear dear friend. You will always be remembered.
January 4, 2014
Mike, we met in basic training and quickly became friends. We went on to train together in Georgia where we separated when I was sent to Europe.
I remember you inviting me to your home for a week and I was warmly welcomed by your wonderful family and friends. I will never forget that and I will never forget you. I am sorry that we sort of lost touch over the many past years but I will still always hold you in my heart and memories as a friend, comrade and brother. I love man...you are already missed.
Seth
Beth Macy
January 4, 2014
What a sweetheart he was! I'll never forget that freckly smile greeting me on the first day of kindergarten -- and 12 years hence. So sorry for the family's loss, and the town's. xoxox
January 4, 2014
So sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to your family.
Suzzette Penrose
January 4, 2014
My heart goes out to the family of this truly wonderful person. Mike could light up a room with his always happy smile. Heaven gained a special soul. Love you Mike.
Meridith Evans
January 4, 2014
God bless you Mike. We have gained an angel! You will be missed!
Sandra Locke
January 4, 2014
What a way to start the new year (2014)...It is going to be hard not communicating with you, but God obviously has a better plan. Thank you for the memories & just know you will NEVER be forgotten. I Love You & May You Rest In Peace, "My Teddy Bear" <3 Love Always, Sandy Locke "Class of "82"
Bob Faulk Jr.
January 4, 2014
A good friend and a great classmate of ( 82 )
doreen adams
January 4, 2014
so sorry to hear the news, he was a generous and good friend
Sharon Wallace
January 4, 2014
I will miss you very much. Thanks, for always making me smile.
Roger and Shelly Ward
January 3, 2014
Our deepest sympathy to Mike's family. He will be missed by all who knew him.
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