V. Eugene Ritz

V. Eugene Ritz, 97 of Indianapolis, and formerly of Tipton, died peacefully with family at 1:01 a.m. Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation – Bridgewater in Carmel. He was born October 9, 1914 in Russiaville to Volna Ernest & Mamie (Gallion) Ritz. On January 1, 1938 he married Muriel Peterson and she preceded him in death on December 17, 1996. They had lived in Chicago from 1946-1955.

From 1955-1980 Gene owned the Ritz Insurance Agency in Tipton. He served as the manager of the city utilities from 1969-1977 and later was the executive secretary of the Indiana Municipal Electric Agency. He was the president of the Election Board for 20 years, Mayor of Tipton from 1979-1983 and served on the City Council. Gene was a member of Austin Masonic Lodge #128, Scottish Rite, Columbia Club and a former member of Kiwanis.

He started the Meals on Wheels program in Tipton County, was involved in Habitat for Humanity and past president of the Tipton Community Fund. He belonged to the Sons of American Revolution – Continental Chapter in Muncie and was a Deacon, Elder and Commissioner of the First Presbyterian Church in Tipton.

In 1936 he graduated from DePauw University. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII starting out working with submarines and was later commissioned and transferred to amphibian units.

He is survived by one daughter, Kimberly Niebarger, Noblesville; one son, Peter E. Ritz and wife Verlyn Wilson, Westfield; two grandsons, Greg Niebarger, Fishers, and Randy Niebarger, Noblesville, three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; one sister, Ruth Ritz Rusie, Martinsville. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Esther Ritz Collyer, and Faith Ritz Hippensteel.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staffs of Community North Hospital, Community Hospice Services and Kindred – Bridgewater for outstanding and loving care at the end of Gene's life.

A visitation for Gene will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton. After cremation a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 7 at the First Presbyterian Church in Tipton with Rev. Dr. Linda Philabaun presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, 251 Post Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, California, 94108.