Obituaries
Mary Ann Ritzenthaler
December 30, 2025
Mary Ann (Davie) Ritzenthaler, age 96, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Norwalk Memorial Home surrounded by family.
Mary Ann was born on August 16, 1929, in Sandusky, Ohio to the late George and Loretta (Hommel) Davie. She enjoyed many happy years growing up along Lake Erie and was a 1947 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Sandusky. Soon after graduation she worked at Periodical and at New Departure in Sandusky before meeting the man of her dreams, Ralph Ritzenthaler, and they were happily married on July 4, 1950. The couple moved to Norwalk where they spent many joyful years working, raising a family, and spending time with friends.
In addition to raising a family, Mary Ann was employed at Montgomery Wards and had also worked as a clerk at Warehouse Tire in Norwalk. She especially enjoyed meeting people in the Norwalk community while sharing product promotional samples at Schild’s IGA. In her spare time, Mary Ann was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church where she was involved with the Prayer Chain and the Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Little Garden Club of Norwalk for many years, later known as the Lunch Bunch. Family members remember her love of gardening, playing board games, cards, and bingo, walking her beloved dog, Rocky and watching the Fourth of July parades with her children and grandchildren while celebrating her Anniversary.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her loving parents, and her wonderful husband of 56 years, Ralph F. Ritzenthaler Sr. who passed in 2007.
She is survived by her sons, Ralph Jr. (Debi) Ritzenthaler of Norwalk, Thomas (Jean) Ritzenthaler of Norwalk, Dennis (Toni) Ritzenthaler of Norwalk, and daughter Ann (Michael) Englert of Cuyahoga Falls; along with six grandchildren including Chris Ritzenthaler, Stephanie Smith, Brett (Ashley) Ritzenthaler, Shawn Ritzenthaler, Jared Englert, and Kennedy Ritzenthaler. Her family was also blessed with six great grandchildren including Ryan, Nick, Madison, Derek, Ellis and Wynn. Her surviving sister, Carol Maiers, resides in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00pm at the Evans Funeral Home, located at 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church, located at 91 E. Main Street in Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery on Southwest Street in Norwalk.
Memorial contributions and donations may be sent to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N Ste 2, Milan, OH 44846.
Mary Ann Ritzenthaler
December 30, 2025
Mary Ann (Davie) Ritzenthaler, age 96, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Norwalk Memorial Home surrounded by family.
Mary Ann was born on August 16, 1929, in Sandusky, Ohio to the late George and Loretta (Hommel) Davie. She enjoyed many happy years growing up along Lake Erie and was a 1947 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Sandusky. Soon after graduation she worked at Periodical and at New Departure in Sandusky before meeting the man of her dreams, Ralph Ritzenthaler, and they were happily married on July 4, 1950. The couple moved to Norwalk where they spent many joyful years working, raising a family, and spending time with friends.
In addition to raising a family, Mary Ann was employed at Montgomery Wards and had also worked as a clerk at Warehouse Tire in Norwalk. She especially enjoyed meeting people in the Norwalk community while sharing product promotional samples at Schild’s IGA. In her spare time, Mary Ann was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church where she was involved with the Prayer Chain and the Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Little Garden Club of Norwalk for many years, later known as the Lunch Bunch. Family members remember her love of gardening, playing board games, cards, and bingo, walking her beloved dog, Rocky and watching the Fourth of July parades with her children and grandchildren while celebrating her Anniversary.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her loving parents, and her wonderful husband of 56 years, Ralph F. Ritzenthaler Sr. who passed in 2007.
She is survived by her sons, Ralph Jr. (Debi) Ritzenthaler of Norwalk, Thomas (Jean) Ritzenthaler of Norwalk, Dennis (Toni) Ritzenthaler of Norwalk, and daughter Ann (Michael) Englert of Cuyahoga Falls; along with six grandchildren including Chris Ritzenthaler, Stephanie Smith, Brett (Ashley) Ritzenthaler, Shawn Ritzenthaler, Jared Englert, and Kennedy Ritzenthaler. Her family was also blessed with six great grandchildren including Ryan, Nick, Madison, Derek, Ellis and Wynn. Her surviving sister, Carol Maiers, resides in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00pm at the Evans Funeral Home, located at 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church, located at 91 E. Main Street in Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery on Southwest Street in Norwalk.
Memorial contributions and donations may be sent to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N Ste 2, Milan, OH 44846.