Jerome W. Ritenour (1932-2020)

RITENOUR, KNUTSON, MARBURGER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/17/2020 at 21:22:00

Jerome Ward "Chick" Ritenour, age 88, of Savanna, IL, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 at MercyOne Hospital, in Clinton, IA. A celebration of Jerome’s life will be held on a later date. Family and friends are invited to share in his life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Jerome was born to Harold Ritenour and Alverta Knutson on September 29, 1932, in Savanna, IL. He graduated from Savanna High School and was a life-long member of our Savanna community.

Jerome was a unique man who loved his family and friends. His passions included hunting, fishing and trapping the Mississippi River basin. He really enjoyed playing fast pitch softball with the Thompson Melon Tosser. Jerome also enjoyed playing rounds of golf, and anyone who knew Jerome, knew he adored his cats.

Jerome is a Veteran of the Korean War. He enlisted in the Military Police division of the U.S Army in 1952, and served to 1954. Upon returning from the service, he worked on the Milwaukee/Soo line railroad, until his retirement in 1994.

Jerome was a member of the VFW and Moose Lodge, and attended St. John’s Catholic Church. He married Darlene Sparks on Oct.5, 1957. Together they enjoyed spending time with close relatives and friends. Every week you could find them knocking down pins at the local bowling alley.

Jerome is survived by his wife Darlene; children, Linda and David Johnson, Kevin and Diane Ritenour, Kathy and Lars Colgan, Karen and Robert Marburger, Tom and Jen Ritenour, and Steven and Brenda Ritenour; 15 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way. Jerome is preceded in death by Papa Tom; brothers, Leroy and Charles; parents, Harold and Alverta; Aunt Grace; and daughter, Cynthia Peak.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Heartland Animal Shelter of Savanna, IL.

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