Glenn D. Ritzenthaler, 89, of Tiffin, passed away Wednesday morning, September 5, 2018, in Mercy Hospital. He was born October 7, 1928, in Tiffin to Harry and Martha (Willet) Ritzenthaler. He married Marta Dysinger on August 13, 1950 in Washington United Methodist Church in Tiffin.
She preceded him in death on February 8, 1998. He is survived by his daughter, Lynne Cartwright of Tiffin and two grandsons, Nicholas Cartwright of Put in Bay, Ohio and Brent (Heidi) Cartwright of North Olmsted, Ohio. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first great grandchild due in March.
He also was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Kent Cartwright. He was the last of his siblings. His sisters, Jo Ann Barth, Margaret Thomas, Kate Sendelbach, Ardinell Border, Helen Ritzenthaler and a brother, Don Ritzenthaler went before him.
He graduated from Columbian High School in 1946 and attended Heidelberg College for one year where he played football. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. After serving his country, he came back to Tiffin and learned the construction trade from his father-in-law.
Together they built many houses in Tiffin. Using his knowledge of construction, he started volunteering with Seneca County Habitat for Humanity in 1987, building many houses and working well into his eighties. For his service, he was awarded the “Habitat for Humanity Golden Hammer Award”.
He also made summer trips to Kentucky and Mississippi to spend the week working with other Habitat for Humanity chapters. On a trip to Georgia he was honored to meet Jimmy Carter, who is still involved in Habitat for Humanity, and sit in on his Sunday school class. He was an avid sports enthusiast, both participating and watching.
He played basketball, football and baseball but would watch anything that used a ball, no matter the color, size or shape. He officiated many football and basketball games in the area from little league to varsity. He retired after 29 years of officiating and was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
Because of his work at the local level with young athletes, he was inducted into the Tiffin Columbian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. Even in his later years, he remained active in the community. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Tiffin Elks Club #94, Tiffin Lion’s Club and the Allen Eiry Center.
He loved to play cards, make popcorn balls and ride his red scooter in the parades. A celebration of life will be held for Glenn on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Katie Treadway officiating.
Family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 A.M. until time of the service. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery on the Dysinger family plot. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Seneca County Habitat for Humanity and Community Hospice Care of Tiffin.
Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www. hgmackfuneralhome.com.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
