John E. "Eddie" Ritz, Sr.

He was born on July 3, 1946 in Springfield, the son of the late Chester Earl and Isola E. (Spain) Ritz, Sr. He married Doris Lee Draper on March 7, 1980 and she preceded him in death on October 14, 2011.

Eddie served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. He worked for 30 years at Lake Area Disposal Service and he was a member of NSPOA Campground in Petersburg, IL.

He is survived by 2 children, Melissa (husband Jerry) VanMeter of Sherman, IL, and John Ritz, Jr. of Springfield; 3 step-children, Ronald (wife Shannon) Estes, Jr. of Chatham, IL, Janet Estes of Tallula, IL, and David (wife Krista) Estes of Pleasant Plains, IL; 14 grandchildren, Nikki (husband Nevin) Tauchus, Allie (husband Greg) Farmer, Danielle (fiancé Jonah Kadyk) VanMeter, Zayne Ritz, Kandice (husband Ronald) Byers, Katie (husband Joe) Nelson, Jami Birchard, Amanda Birchard, Jeffrey Seals, Alexis (husband Brandon) Hatcher, Nathan Estes, Ryan Estes, Payton Estes, and Sydnee Estes; 12 great-grandchildren, Tegan Tauchus, Kanin Tauchus, Grady Tauchus, Kinley Farmer, Trenton Byers, Paige Nelson, Ayden Smith, Madison Smith, Khloe Smith, Isabella Seals, Callie Seals, and Ellie Hatcher; 4 siblings, Pamela (husband Mark) Hart, Carb (wife Vicky) Ritz, Patty (husband John Lowery) Estes, and Gary Ritz, all of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by 3 siblings, Chester “Earl” Ritz, Jr., Larry Ritz, and Harold Wayne Ritz.

Services are under the direction of Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen, Springfield. Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 10:30 am at Pasfield Southern Baptist Church, 411 W. Lenox Ave., Springfield. Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. Inurnment will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, where military rites will be provided by the U.S. Army and the Interveteran’s Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, or to the Disabled Veterans of America.