Harold E. Ritterbusch

1922 - 2015

QUINCY -- Harold Edward Ritterbusch, 93, formerly of 1304 Curtis Creek Road, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at Sunset Home.

He was born Sept. 19, 1922, in Springfield, Ill., a son of Fred Frank and Ellen Marie "Nellie" (Power) Ritterbusch. He married Darlene Mae (Vollbracht) Ritterbusch on July 14, 1942, in Palmyra, Mo. She preceded him in death on Oct. 13, 2013.

Mr. Ritterbusch was in sales for many years and also was the former owner of the Harrison Pub. He was a graduate of Lanphier High School in Springfield and also served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the Church of St. Peter.

Harold's proudest and greatest achievement was his marriage of 71 years to his wife, Darlene. He survived non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a heart attack and a stroke. However, he never could recover from the loss of his wife.

He was a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs. Harold enjoyed numerous activities and hobbies, including coin collecting, Sudoku puzzles, writing poems and reading. He will be remembered for his quick wit and kindness to others even in his final days. He also will be known for his ability to become friends with any dog, goose, squirrel or bird on Curtis Creek Road.

The family would like to thank all of Harold's caregivers over the last few years, but especially the staff of Sunset Home, the Illinois Veterans Home and Dr. Adam "Redbird" Reyburn for the wonderful care that they provided.

Survivors include his six children, Joan Haubrich and her husband, Joseph, of Quincy, Jim Ritterbusch and his wife, Joyce, of Galena, Ill., Jeanne Thomas and her husband, Roger, Jerry Ritterbusch and his wife, Lisa, Joseph Ritterbusch and his wife Tammy, all of Quincy, and Juliene Lemon and her husband, Terry, of Hiawatha, Iowa; 18 grandchildren, Greg Haubrich and his wife, Victoria, Mark Haubrich and his wife, Pam, Amy Douglas and her husband, Scott, Paula Nagel and her husband, Rodney, CJ Ritterbusch and his wife, Mary Catherine, Chad Ritterbusch and his wife, Melissa, Cory Ritterbusch and his wife, Emily, Eric Thomas and his wife, Kathryn, Kelly Thomas and her companion, Jeff Jones, Shawn Thomas, Lori Miller and her husband, Darin, Kara Ritterbusch, Brian Ritterbusch and his wife, Kristen, Bradley Ritterbusch, Stephanie Kamm and her husband, Cody, Whitney Cox and her husband, Michael, Brooke Walters and her husband, Zach and Tyler Lemon; 36 great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Sister Kevin Ritterbusch, OSU, and Lorraine "Skip" Hamrick; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Moore, Lena "Nubie" Vollbracht and Marilyn Vollbracht; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives; and a dear family friend, Sherry Duffy.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Fred Ritterbusch, and two sisters, Mary Catherine Ritterbusch in childhood and Dorothy Brager.

SERVICES: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home and 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Peter. Interment will be in Quincy Memorial Park.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Villa Angela Home for Girls in Springfield, Ill., Sunset Home or the Church of St. Peter.

ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.