Rex V. Ritz

RITZ, LEFEVER, ABERNATHY, AVON, BECK, HOLLAND, KUNZMAN

Posted By: Gary Bruce Blackburn (email)
Date: 9/13/2005 at 11:23:52

Rex V. Ritz, son of John U. and Dora LeFever Ritz, was born Feb. 18, 1920 near Selma and died the evening of Saturday, Aug. 1, 1987 at Veterans Hospital in Knoxville at the age of 67.

He graduated from Selma High School and served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for service to his country. Rex and his family operated a grocery store and service station in Selma for several years. He had been a rural mail carrier, and served as Selma's Postmaster from 1960 until retiring in 1983.

He was a Past Commander of John Hyson Reneker Post No. 494, American Legion at Douds, and was active in the Van Buren County Historical Society, the Van Buren County Development Association, and played a major role in the development of Selma Park. For many years he was a trustee of the Iowaville and Passmore Cemeteries.

He married Rowene V. Abernathy July 4, 1948 at Agency. She died in 1975. His parents and a brother, Ira, also preceded him in death.

Surviving are six sons, Roger, Raymond and Randall, all of Selma, Russell of Des Moines, Richard of Yukon, Okla., and Rodney of Batavia and five grandchildren.

Also surviving are three brothers, H. Le Ritz, Selma, and Philip and Allan Ritz, both of Eldon, three sisters, Ruth Avon, Knoxville, Esther [Kunzman] Beck, Eldon, and Inez Holland, Boise Idaho, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1987 at 10 A.M. at Pedrick Funeral Home, Douds, with Rev. Gerald Caughron officiating. Interment with military rites was in Iowaville Cemetery. A memorial was established for the Selma Park.