Richard 'Cracker' Ritz

RICHARD "CRACKER" RITZ

New London

Richard "Cracker" Ritz, 62, of New London, died Sunday, June 6, 2021, at his daughter's residence in Oskaloosa. A private family burial service will be held at Lambirth Cemetery, rural Mount Pleasant. A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the New London Community Center.

Mmorials may be directed to the family or to a hospice of the donor's choosing. They may be mailed to or left at Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mount Pleasant, which is assisting the family Richard's arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Richard Irvin "Cracker" Ritz was born Aug. 6, 1958, in Mount Pleasant. He was the son of Donald Irvin and Wilma Jean (Smith) Ritz. He attended school in Mount. Pleasant. On March 3, 1978, in Oskaloosa, he married Brenda L. Johannes. The couple later divorced.

"Cracker" was in the construction trade for most of his life. He worked for Indiana Wood, Bloom Builders, Wesley Barton Construction, Cunningham's and Robert Smith Construction. For a while, Richard worked for Clow Mfg. Co. in Oskaloosa, a fire-hydrant manufacturer. In his spare time, Richard loved to fish, hunt mushrooms and spend time on the banks of the Skunk River at Oakland Mills. He also loved to tend to the plants in his house.

Those thankful for sharing in Richard's life include his three children, Kristi (Jason) Anderson and Levi (Buffie) Ritz, all of Oskaloosa, and Collin Ritz (Cheyenne Kracht) of Burlington, Iowa; siblings, Deb (Tom) Ellis and Ed (Carol) Ritz, all of Wayland, Iowa, and Mike (Denise) Ritz of Mount Pleasant; and seven grandchildren, Chase, Electra, Dylan, Gage, Kenzi, Ava and Izzy.

His parents and a sister, Linda Chance, preceded him in death.