Obituary of Everett Rittenhouse

Everett Deloss Rittenhouse, 100, of Zion, Illinois walked the stairway to heaven on Wednesday morning, January 16, 2019.

Everett was born in Seneca, Nebraska on October 9, 1918 to Ross and Rena Rittenhouse.  At the age of 5 the family moved to Zion.  On August 19, 1941 Everett married Florence (Tiny) Larsen in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They settled in Glendale, California and planned to make this area their home. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor changed their life plans.   On May 2, 1942 Everett enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the 131st Ordinance 9th Division in the Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe campaign and was honorably discharged on October 27, 1945.    Everett then came back home to Zion to reunite with his wife who had previously relocated to be near family.  At this point he started a career that would last over 40 years as a Auto Body mechanic. Upon retirement Everett enjoyed many years of winter  “snowbirding” in Arizona.  Everett golfed until he was 95 , loved the Cubs, gardening, cooking and being with all his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 78 years, Florence (Tiny) Rittenhouse; three children, Joanne Pennock, Everett Rittenhouse, and Chris (Julie) Rittenhouse; eight grandchildren, Tom (Jennifer) Pennock, Sherry (Mike) Gladue, Kelly Chaney, Stephanie (Chris) Lang, Erin Dremonas, Mike Rittenhouse, Christopher Rittenhouse, and Ami (David) Ashby; nineteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross & Rena Rittenhouse; brother, Ross Rittenhouse Jr.; sister, Marjorie Bergmann; and niece, Pamela Houcek.

Public interment service is scheduled at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Road, Zion Illinois on Monday, January 21st, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Doug Carlson officiating.