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Ida (Murray) Ritenour was born on April 4, 1876 at Normalville, Fayette County, PA the daughter of Elijah and Hannah (Minerd) Murray.

At the age of nine, in May 1885, Ida became orphaned when her parents died just eight days apart. She and her sister Lucy were adopted five years later by a cousin, Richard S. and Mary Jane (Whetsel) Murray. 

Her adoptive father became tax collector of Springfield Township, and the Connellsville Daily Courier said he was "regarded as one of the most thorough men ever to be in that office…."

On April 13, 1899, at the age of 24, Ida married 39-year-old widower Aaron M. Ritenour (1861-1933), the son of Christopher and Sarah (Miller) Ritenour. They were 15 years apart in age. The Courier reported that the ceremony was performed at the home of Walter Prinkey, and that afterward, "an excellent supper was served."

Aaron’s first wife, Flora (Ritenour) Ritenour -- daughter of John G. and Emeline Ritenour -- had died in 1897, at age 27, leaving him to raise four children – Lyda Ohler, Bertha Garlick, George Washington Ritenour and Winfield "Scott" Ritenour. They thus became Ida's stepchildren.

Aaron and Ida went on to have seven children of their own – Duella Hoover, Leroy C. Ritenour, Ernest Ritenour, Anna Morgan, Mary Baird Pirl, Sarah Hoyle and Rebecca Ranker.

Aaron was a carpenter by trade, and also a timber contractor and farmer. In November 1896, the Courier reported that "While on the roof of his wagon shed…, [he] became ill, and fainted, fell a distance of 15 feet on a pile of rails and stones, bruising him considerably."

They resided at St. John’s School near Normalville. She was a member of the Melcroft Assembly of God Church, and later attended the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church at Donegal, PA. 

The marriage always seems to have been rocky. According to a newspaper article published circa 1921, in a newspaper in Indiana, PA, Ida had "left her husband 33 times during the 21 years of their married life..." At the time the story appeared, Ida was residing in or near Scottdale, Westmoreland County, PA, where she worked in a restaurant. 

She sued Aaron for non-support, and he was ordered to pay $30 a month to support her and their three youngest children. With the court award, added to her $15 a week pay, she would be able to "barely make both ends meet," she said. Aaron, on the other hand, told the newspaper that he was so old that "it is almost impossible for him to do a day's work," and that he was "puzzled to know how he is going to get the money with which to meet the court's order." A divorce finally was granted.

On June 22, 1930, Aaron celebrated his 69th birthday with a party held at his home, featuring a cake with a centerpiece of 69 candles. A host of games were played, including a three-legged race and men's and boy's sack races. An article in the Daily Courier reported that attendees included the Mr. and Mrs. Ray Garlick and children of South Connellsville, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Garlick and family of Vanderbilt, Mr. and Mrs. Heiskell C. Hoover and son of Indian Head, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Ritenour and children, Leroy Ritenour and children, Ernest Ritenour, Grace and Duella Ritenour, Lida Ohler and children, Thomas Burns and Mary Baird and daughter of Scottdale, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hall and family of Connellsville, and William Hall and Lloyd Miller of Normalville.

Sadly, Aaron died at age 72, the day after Christmas, 1933, in Connellsville State Hospital. He had been stricken with an enlarged prostate gland, and was showing signs of senility. A newspaper said he succumbed to "complications." He was buried at Normalville Cemetery following funeral services in the United Brethren Church, with a mixed quartet singing some of his favorite hymns. His daughter Duella Hoover signed the death certificate.

Ida lived for another 35 years after the death of her former husband. She variously made her home in Scottdale and Jones Mills, PA. 

Suffering from a lingering illness, Ida resided in later years with her daughter Duella at Jones Mills. She died on Feb. 12, 1968. She is buried at the Normalville Cemetery.

The Ritenours are mentioned in Chip’s Off the Old Block’s by Kimberly (Ritenour) Gach. In a strange twist of fate, three of the children and step-children died in 1976.

~ Daughter Duella (Ritenour) Hoover ~

Daughter Duella Ritenour (1900-1977) was born on Jan. 4, 1900 in Springfield Township.

She married Heiskell C. "Happy" Hoover ( ? -1968), a native of Jennings, MD and the son of George and Elizabeth (Bowers) Hoover. As they courted in 1917-1918, they often spent Sundays visiting at the home of Duella's parents at Normalville.

They made their home over the years in Donegal, Melcroft and Indian Head, Fayette County and were members of the Melcroft Assembly of God Church. 

The couple had one son, Forrest Duane Hoover.

Happy worked in coal mines of Indian Head and Melcroft, PA for 31 years, and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America and the Donegal Post of the American Legion. Sadly, he died on Jan. 17, 1968. 

Duella outlived her husband by nine years. She passed away in Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant at the age of 77 on Jan. 11, 1977. Burial was in Normalville Cemetery with Rev. Roger Pence officiating.

Son Forrest Duane Hoover lived in Indian Head and had six children.

~ Son Leroy C. Ritenour ~

Son Leroy C. Ritenour (1901-1976) was born on Nov. 30, 1901 in Normalville.

He "was a life long resident of the Normalville area and a retired farmer and carpenter," said the Courier. "He was a member of the Hampton Church of God."

Leroy married Emma E. (Hostetler) McGuire Fisch ( ? -1972), also spelled "Fish."

She had been wed twice before, to Thomas McGuire and Lewis Fisch (1867-1937), and brought these children to the marriage -- Eugene V. McGuire,Gilbert W. Fisch and Merle G. Fisch.

Leroy and Emma went on to produce nine more children of their own -- Wayne Ritenour, Vane Avey, Dollie Sanner, Ruth Hyatt, Beatrice Eutsey, Shirley Jaynes, Darrell L. Ritenour, Leroy R. Ritenour Jr. and Reid D. Ritenour. Grief cascaded over the family when son Wayne died in infancy.

The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows the family living in Springfield Township, Fayette County, and Leroy earning a living as a logger.

Sadly, Emma died on Nov. 16, 1972. 

Leroy lived for another three and a half years in Connellsville. He was stricken on March 13, 1976. He was rushed to Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant where he was pronounced dead on arrival at the age of 74. The Daily Courier reported that he was survived by 34 grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 14 step-great-grandchildren. Burial was in Mount Tabor Cemetery following funeral rites held at the Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church, with Rev. Carl Ritenour and Rev. E.J. Marker officiating. [Find-a-Grave]

Daughter Vane Duella Ritenour (1923-2015) was born on April 30, 1923 in Normalville. She married George "Craig" Avey (1924-1971) and had one daughter, Gloria Migliaccio. The Aveys lived in Washington, DC where Vane was employed as a cashier in a Piggly Wiggly Supermarket and as a waitress at Dulles International Airport. She maintained her membership in the Mount Tabor Church of God. Sadly, Craig passed away on Sept. 18, 1971, at the age of 47. His remains were interred in Mount Tabor Cemetery. Vane returned to Normalville at some point where she spent the balance of her long life. She died at home at the age of 91 on April 8, 2015.

• Granddaughter Gloria Avey wedded (?) Migliaccio.

Daughter Dollie Lee Ritenour (1924-2015) was born on Christmas Day 1924 in Connellsville. She was wedded to Benjamin Franklin Sanner (1922-1990), son of George Arnold and Effie May (Stillwagon) Sanner. During World War II, Benjamin served as a private in the U.S. Army. After the war, the Sanners dwelled in Connellsville and produced four children -- Eugene D. Sanner, Oma Lee Resrode, Bonnie L. Sanner and Christina Sanner. Benjamin died on July 2, 1990, with burial in Mount Tabor Cemetery. Dollie survived him by a quarter of a century. She joined him in death on Sept. 5, 2015, in Connellsville. [Find-a-Grave]

• Grandson Eugene D. Sanner lived in Uniontown.

• Granddaughter Oma Lee Sanner ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Rexrode and resided in Virginia. In 2020, she was involved with the Augusta County Electoral Board.

• Granddaughter Bonnie Lou Sanner (1954-2020) was born on Jan. 17, 1954 in Connellsville. She never married. During the Vietnam War, she served in the U.S. Army. Later, she returned to Connellsville and was self-employed as a hair stylist. As her health failed, she was admitted to Excela Westmoreland Hospital in nearby Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. She succumbed there to death at the age of 66 on Jan. 17, 2020. She received a military funeral, led by Rev. Keith Solomon and with rites provided by the local Americal Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, and interment in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Christina Sanner made her home for many years in Connellsville.

Son Darrell L. "Bud" Ritenour (1928-1984)was born on March 4, 1928. Darrell was thrice married. In 1950, he wedded his first wife, Shirley "Lorraine" Johnson (1932-1989). After a divorce, he was joined in matrimony in 1970 with his second bride, Annabell Braucher (Aug. 12, 1942-1976), a native of Connellsville and the daughter of James and Lavada (Whoolery) Braucher. She was the mother of seven daughters -- Kimberly Ritenour, Goldie, Carol Ann, Robin, Mary Grace, Emma and Amy (last names unknown). The pair dwelled in Normalville, and she belonged to the Apostolic Church of Dunbar. Anna Bell was in and out of hospitals in 1974-1976. As a patient at Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, she died at the age of only 33 on Jan. 17, 1976. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Mount Tabor Cemetery, with Rev. Dennis Lucus presiding. Darrell was united in wedlock the third time, in 1977, to Barbara Jean Volk (March 12, 1945- ? ). Their union endured for seven years until he passed into eternity in Jeannette, Westmoreland County on Aug. 27, 1984. Burial was in Mount Tabor Cemetery. Former wife Lorraine died in Dunbar Township, Fayette County on July 15, 1989, with interment also in Mount Tabor.

Daughter Ruth Ritenour (1932- ? )was born in about 1932. She was united in matrimony with John Hyatt ( ? - ? ). Circa 1976, the Hyatts resided in Connellsville.

Son Leroy R. "Sonny" Ritenour Jr. (1933-1990) was born on July 12, 1933. At one point in time, he dwelled in New Mexico. He later established a home in Elyria, Lorain County, OH and was there in 1976.He married Ella M. (1938- ? ). The children born to this union were Roy Scott Ritenour, Mary Lou Phillips and James Ritenour. Other offspring belonging to this family -- precise connections unknown -- were Earnest Doyle, Arlene Thomas, Charlotte Mohamed and Shelia Neice. At the age of 56 or 57, Leroy died in Oct. 1990. Burial was in Mount Tabor Cemetery. Ella outlived her spouse by decades.

• Grandson Roy Scott Ritenour

• Granddaughter Mary Lou Ritenour (1960-2018) was born on Aug. 14, 1960 in Amherst, Lorain County, OH. She married Marvin Phillips ( ? - ? ) and lived in the Amherst/Elyria area. The couple's four offspring were Zaina Thompson, Markida Bonilla, Marquea Phillips and Shasha Thompson. Over the years. Mary was employed by The Woods on French Creek, Spitzer Plaza and Marina and Holiday Inn. She was an avid member of the Midway Baptist Church. The couple eventually divorced but remained on good terms. Sadly, stricken with incurable illness at the age of 57, she was placed in hospice and died in the home of her daughter on March 16, 2018. Interment of the remains was in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, with Rev. Rick Keesee officiating.

• Grandson James Ritenour ( ? - ? )

Son Reid Dalton Ritenour Sr. (1935-2020) was born on July 11, 1935 in Connellsville. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 20 in October 1955. After his military discharge, he married Dorothy Pirl (1939-living), daughter of Joseph and Mildred Pirl of Normalville. They were wed in January 1960 in a quiet ceremony at the Connellsville Church of God, and their union endured for six-plus decades. In reporting on the wedding, the Connellsville Daily Courier said that Dorothy "wore a street-length sheath dress of turquoise rayon and cotton blend, topped with a bolero jacked styled with three-quarter-length sleeves. A small white hat and black and white accessories completed her ensemble. She carried a colonial bouquet of white roses with white satin streamers." The couple bore eight children -- Dorothy Ritenour, Reid Ritenour Jr., Charles Ritenour, Betty Ritenour, Steven Ritenour, Ronald Ritenour, Sue Ritenour and John Ritenour. They relocated to Elyria, Lorain County, OH, where Reid was employed as a machine operator by General Motors Corporation. After retirement, the Ritenours enjoyed travels to Florida. Reid died at the age of 84, on April 7, 2020, in Hudson, Pasco County, FL. His remains were transported back to Connellsville for interment. His obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Dorothy Ritenour

• Grandson Reid Ritenour Jr.

• Grandson Charles Ritenour

• Granddaughter Betty Ritenour

• Grandson Steven Ritenour

• Grandson Ronald Ritenour

• Granddaughter Sue Ritenour

• Grandson John Ritenour

Daughter Shirley V. Ritenour (1938- ? )born in about 1938 in Springfield Township, Fayette County. She was united in wedlock with James "Frank" Jaynes ( ? - ? ), son of James S. Jaynes of East Connellsville. Circa 1959, they lived in Aliquippa, Beaver County, PA, where Frank was employed at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport in the aircraft control department. By 1976, they had relocated to Amherst, OH. They had at least two daughters -- Betsy Lee Jaynes and Amy Elizabeth Jaynes. Shirley was still living in 2020 when named in the obituary of her brother Reid.

• Granddaughter Betsy Lee Jaynes

• Granddaughter Amy Elizabeth Jaynes

Daughter Beatrice Mae "Beatie" Ritenour (1941-2023)was born on June 1, 1941 in Connellsville. She married Kenneth Eutsey ( ? - ? ). The couple lived in Connellsville and Normalville. They raised a family of five sons, of whom three were adopted -- Kenneth "Wayne" Eutsey, Kenneth James Eutsey, Timothy Lee Eutsey, Nathan Wayne Eutsey and Curtis Douglas Eutsey. Adopted son Curtis, born "Curtis Douglas Rice," was abandoned by his birth mother Rae Black at age three in 1976 and brought into the Eutsey home. Anxiety and fear blanketed the family when son Curtis -- having dropped out of high school and without a job -- left the home in anger one night in 1990 and never returned. He went to live with a girlfriend, but there was bad blood with her family. He was never heard from again. After more than two decades of waiting, they finally were informed on or about March 31, 2010 that his skeletal remains had been discovered by men digging for scrap metal in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, about a mile from the home of a girlfriend where he had been lodging. Police determined that he had been killed between 1990 and 1992. News of the grisly discovery was published in the Greensburg Tribune-Review, and one of his former friends was charged with criminal homicide. More than a dozen years later, the Connellsville Daily Courier said that Beatrice "loved the Lord and was a Godly example of a woman who had a heart to give and help those around her. She was always willing to offer a smile, hello or a wave to anyone she met – she never met a stranger. There is not a thank you sufficient for the prayers she prayed and kindness she showed to those she loved." She passed away in Springfield Township near Connellsville at the age of 82 on Nov. 10. 2023. Her funeral rites were conducted by Pastor Jimm Talton of Antioch Christian Church of Bear Creek, NC. Interment was in Mt. Tabor Cemetery. A scripture verse used in her obituary was from Hebrews 12:1-2: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.."

• Great-grandson Kenneth "Wayne" Eutsey has resided in Connellsville. 

• Great-grandson Kenneth James Eutsey put down roots in Connellsville. 

• Great-grandson Timothy Lee Eutsey has dwelled in Dunbar, PA. 

• Great-grandson Nathan Wayne Eutsey moved to Chelsea, MI. 

Stepson Gilbert Wayne "Waynie" Fisch (1915-1991), sometimes shortened to "Fish," was born on May 19, 1915 in Mill Run, Fayette County. Circa 1941, he married Annetta Jaynes (1925-1997). They were a decade apart in age. The couple's baker's dozen  known children were Nathan W. Fisch, James R. Fisch, David Leonard "Whitey" Fisch, Marjorie "Susanne" Newell, Sally "Selene" Rimel McKnight, Becky Weyant, Daniel "Hunter" Fisch, Mark Fisch, Terry Fisch, Gilbert W. Fisch, Lewis Fisch, Randy Fisch and an unnamed baby son, the latter two dying in infancy. Gilbert served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1950, with their home in Bullskin Township, he made a living running a power saw for a pipeline company. Later, they made their home in East Connellsville, with him employed at the Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. Gilbert died on July 22, 1991. Anetta passed away six years later on Jan. 27, 1997. They are buried in Mount Tabor Cemetery.

• Step-grandson Nathan W. Fisch (1943- ? ) was born in about 1943. He put down roots in Vanderbilt, PA and was there in 2003.

• Step-grandson James R. Fisch (1946- ? ) was born in about 1946. He tied the knot with Lili Buttermore (Aug. 29, 1948-2021), daughter of Wayne and Dorothy (Geary) Buttermore. Together, they produced a trio of sons -- James R. Fisch Jr., Donnie Fisch and Brian Fisch. The pair made their residence in Bullskin Township near Connellsville. Sadly, Lili died at the age of 72 on Jan. 30, 2021. Her remains were laid to rest in Mt. Olive Cemetery.

• Step-grandson David Leonard "Whitey" Fisch (1947-2003) was born on May 25, 1947 at Frick Memorial Hospital in Mount Pleasant. News of his birth was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier. In 1966, he married widow Olive "Pearl" (Schobert) Shoenberger (Sept. 28, 1932-2007), daughter of William F. Schobert of Franklin Avenue in Connellsville, and whose first husband Eugene R. Shoenberger had died the year before. In the second marriage, the bride was 15 years older than the groom. The children in their combined family were Vicki Kostelnik, Robert Shoenberger, William Francis Shoenberger, Randy Lee "Little R" Shoenberger, Lisa Ann Fisch and Darla Kukurugya. The family address in 1968 was 202 East Jefferson Street. David made a living as a heavy equipment operator. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, he "enjoyed flying his ultra lite airplane" and was "an avid outdoorsman, who liked trap shooting and hunting." Sadly, following a long illness, David died in Pittsburgh's Shadyside Hospital at the age of 55 on May 6, 2003. Pastor Robert Free presided at the funeral service. Pearl survived her spouse by nearly four years. Death swept her away in Connellsville at the age of 74 on Feb. 4, 2007. The couple sleeps for all time in Laurel Hill Presbyterian Cemetery.

Step-step-great-granddaughter Vicki Shoenberger wed John Kostelnik. Circa 2015, they made their residence in Dunbar Township. Two offspring of this union were Tina Kostelnik and John Kostelnik.

Step-step-great-grandson Robert Shoenberger married Jeanne. The pair was in South Connellsville in 2015.

Step-step-great-grandson William Francis Shoenberger (1954-2015) was born on July 11, 1954 in Connellsville. William was one of more than 40 known cousins of the extended Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family in the 1972 graduating class of Connellsville Area High School. He was united in matrimony with Marsha A. Stull ( ? - ? ). Their union endured for four decades. Their only daughter was Jodi L. Barnhart. The Shoenbergers dwelled in Dunbar Township, with him earning a living as an operator of heavy equipment used in excavating. Burdened with heart problems, and awaiting heart transplant surgery, he died on Feb. 10, 2015, at the age of 60. Daughter Jodi wed Jeffrey Barnhart, who live in Greensburg and are the parents of Brenna F. Barnhart and Trenton J. Barnhart.

Step-step-great-grandson Randy Lee "Little R" Shoenberger (1955-2010) was born on Aug. 18, 1955 in Connellsville. He was a 1973 graduate of Connellsville Area High School and then attended the Greensburg Institute of Technology and Westmoreland Community College. He also worked in young manhood at Vanderbilt Slag Company as a weighmaster. Randy joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and was deployed to West Germany to serve on the security police force of Kaiserslautern Air Base. Randy was wed to Susan (Akers) Polidora ( ? - ? ). She brought three stepchildren into the union -- Ronald Polidora, Tonya Polidora and Melissa Polidora. Randy earned a living over the years at ICMI/NuKote in Dunbar Township. In his free time he followed the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins sports teams. The angel of death spirited him away in Pittsburgh's UPMC Presbyterian Hospital at the age of 55 on Dec. 7, 2010.

Step-great-granddaughter Lisa Ann Fisch (1967-2018) was born on June 17, 1967 in Connellsville. She does not appear to have married. Lisa Ann lived in Everson, PA in 2015 and in Connellsville in 2018. She succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 51 on Nov. 1, 2018.

Step-great-granddaughter Darla ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Marty Kukurugya. The couple's two children are Kayla Kukurugya and Blake Kukurugya. They made their dwelling-place in 2015 at Mount Independence and in 2018 in Lemont Furnace. 

• Step-granddaughter Marjorie "Susanne" Fisch (1950- ? ) was born in 1950 in Connellsville State Hospital. Her birth was announced in the Connellsville Daily Courier. She wed Gerald "Les" Newell ( ? - ? ), son of Emerson Newell of Dawson. One known son of this union was Leslie Michael Newell, born in 1975. The Newells were in Vanderbilt in 2003.

• Step-granddaughter Sally "Selene" Fisch (1954- ? ) was born in 1954 in Connellsville State Hospital. The Connellsville Daily Courier printed an announcement of her birth. She was twice-wed. Her first husband was Uriah Paul Rimel (Jan. 24, 1949- ? ), son of Uriah and Nellie (Pringle) Rimel. Together they became the parents of Paul D. Rimel. Uriah was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and an employee of Burrell Construction Company. He held memberships in the Laborer's International Union, Scottdale post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Spring Grove Chapel Church. Tragically, Uriah was killed on Aug. 19, 1974 when, after failing to negotiate a downhill curve to the right, his motorcycle careened over an embankment two miles north of Dawson, plunged 100 feet and struck a tree. He was rushed to Mount Pleasant Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Selene wed a second time to a step-cousin, James "Russell" McKnight ( ? - ? ), son of Jesse Franklin and Edna Ruth (Fretts) McKnight of the family of Clarence Jay and Clara Belle (Keffer) McKnight. For more on this family, see the McKnight biography.

• Step-granddaughter Becky Fisch was married to (?) Weyant. She lived in Connellsville in 2003.

• Step-grandson Daniel "Hunter" Fisch (1960- ? ) was born in 1960. The local newspaper published word of his birth. He was joined in the rite of marriage with Brenda. Circa 2003, they were planted in Connellsville.

• Step-grandson Mark Fisch ( ? - ? ) was united in holy matrimony with Terry. Their dwelling in 2003 was in Connellsville.

• Step-grandson Terry Fisch ( ? - ? ) was in Connellsville in 2003.

• Step-grandson Gilbert W. Fisch ( ? - ? ) lived in Connellsville in 2003.

• Step-grandson Lewis Fisch wed Martha and has made a home in Juniata, Fayette County. 

Stepson Merle Golden Fisch (1918-1981) was born in 1918. He was joined in wedded union with Blanche Edna Stillwagon (1909-1993). They called Connellsville home for many years. Three of their children died very young -- Donna Jean in 1940, Robert in 1943 and Ronald Ray in 1944. Merle succumbed to the Angel of Death at the age of 63 in Connellsville on May 20, 1981. Blanche outlived him by a dozen years and died in 1993.

Stepson Eugene Vernon McGuire (1920-2012) was born on Dec. 10, 1920 in Connellsville. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army and was deployed to the Philippine Islands and Japan. After the war's end, at the age of 26, he relocated to Elyria, OH, where he spent the rest of his long life. Then in 1949, he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Oma Monhollen ( ? - ? ). Their marriage endured for an extraordinary 63 years. The couple did not reproduce. For 27 years, he was employed by Ridge Tool in Elyria, progressing to the position of repairman for customer service. He was a longtime member of Midway Baptist Church and gave of his time as a deacon, organist and pianist. Reported the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, he "enjoyed quartet singing and piano playing and spent many hours visiting shut-ins in the nursing home, blessing them with his music." At the age of 91, on Aug. 26, 2012, he passed away at the Wesleyan Village of Elyria. burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in South Amherst, OH, with Rev. Charles Keesee preaching the funeral sermon.

~ Daughter Amy "Anna" (Ritenour) Morgan ~

Daughter Amy " Anna" Ritenour (1903 -1988) was born in about 1903. 

She married Thomas A. Morgan ( ? - ? ).

They resided in Scottdale and produced a family of nine offspring -- Paul Morgan, John E. Morgan, Thomas Morgan, Robert Aloysius Morgan, Dennis Morgan, Anna Irish, Betty Maglicco, Mary Theresa Katona and Owen Morgan.

In 1976, Anna lived in Phoenix, presumably with one of her daughters.

She passed away in 1988, at the age of 85. Her remains were lowered into eternal rest in Normalville Cemetery.

Son John E. Morgan (1925-2004) was born in 1925. He was an "employee of the former Ruth Lumber Co., of Scottdale, and previously had been employed with the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railroad," said the Courier. He died in 2004.

Son Robert Aloysius Morgan (1927-2016) was born on Oct. 18, 1927 in Scottdale. On May 26, 1951, when he was age 24, Robert married 20-year-old Marjorie Lee (1931-2009), daughter of John S. and Dorothy (Kreinbrook) DeLuca. Their four children were Robert Alan "Red" Morgan, John Patrick Morgan, Cindy Boley and Kathleen Morgan. They resided in Morgan Road in Scottdale. During the post-World War II years, from 1945 to 1949, Robert served in the U.S. Navy. Later, he was employed for 29 years as a millwright with Teledyne Summerill in Scottdale. He was a member of the Partner Parish of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church of Scottdale, the Scottdale Veterans of Foreign Wars post, East Huntington Sportsmen's Club and the 30-06 Club. He also enjoyed spending time at the Brownfield Community Center and with senior citizen groups. Marjorie was a longtime clerk for the County of Westmoreland, from 1968 to 1984. She also served as a Democratic Committee woman for East Huntington Township. Said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, Marjorie "loved to travel and enjoyed taking cruises with her family. She was a great hostess and loved to cook and entertain her family and friends. Her devotion and love were unconditional and never ending to her family." Sadly, Marjorie passed away on Nov. 17, 2009, ending their union of many decades. He lived for another seven years and passed into eternity at age 88 on Jan. 25, 2016. A funeral mass was led by Rev. Andrew M. Kawecki. 

• Grandson Robert Alan “Red” Morgan married Shirley Lane.

• Grandson John Patrick Morgan was wedded to Janine Vies.

• Granddaughter Cindy Morgan was united in matrimony with Donald Allison Boley, son of Richard H. and Margaret SW. (Allison) Boley. They had three children - Eron Allison Boley, Craig M. Boley and Brett P. Boley. In 2002, they made their home in Humble, TX. Tragedy struck the family when 19-year-old son Eron -- a lieutenant colonel with the Civil Air Patrol, and a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University -- died of injuries on Sept. 15, 2002 from an automobile accident in Daytona Beach, FL, in which he was a passenger.

• Granddaughter Kathleen Morgan 

~ Daughter Mary (Ritenour) Baird Pirl ~

Daughter Mary Ritenour ( ? - ? ) was born in about (?). 

She was married twice, first to (?) Baird. They lived in Scottdale in 1930 and had one daughter. 

By 1933, Mary had moved back to Normalville.

She married again to (?) Pirl ( ? - ? ).

In 1976, she made her home in Jones Mill, PA.

~ Son Ernest Ritenour ~

Son Ernest Ritenour (1906-1985) was born in about 1906 at Foxburg, Fayette County.

Following his father's occupation, Ernest was a lumberman of the Normalville area. 

On July 26, 1934, at Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA, he married Ellen Basinger ( ? - ? ), daughter of William Henry and Elizabeth (Ritenour) Basinger of Rogers Mills, Fayette County. Was her name also "Mabel?" On the same day and at the same place, in a double wedding officiated by a justice of the peace, Ellen's sister Violet Basinger was united in wedlock with Elmer Shultz, son of Samuel and Mary (Fulton) Shultz.

The Ritenours bore five children -- Etta Marie Hall, Luella Ritenour, Ida Elizabeth Ritenour, Earnest William Ritenour and Kenneth Eugene Ritenour.

The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows the family in Springfield Township, Fayette County, with Earnest employed as a laborer with the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was the brainchild of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's during the Great Depression to put unemployed men and women back to work. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA workers built a wide range of public works projects, from roads and bridges to retaining walls and buildings. Many of these structures still exist today and continue to benefit society.

In July 1959, the Ritenours and the Shultzes celebrated their mutual 25th wedding anniversaries, with an article appearing in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Ernest died in 1985, with burial in Normalville Cemetery.

Mabel lived for another dozen years and succumbed to the Angel of Death in 1997.

Daughter Etta Marie Ritenour (1936- ? ) was born in about 1936 in Fayette County. She married Carl E. Hall Sr. (1933-1997), son of William and Susan (Stillwagon) Hall. The couple resided in Connellsville. Later, they relocated to Shippingport, Beaver County, PA, with Carl employed by Jones and Laughlin Steel in Aliquippa. Children born to this marriage were Allen Hall, Carl E. Hall Jr., Debbie Johnson, Sherry Kovacick, Vicki Hall and Christine Pratt. Carl eventually retired from his job at J&L. Sadly, he suffered with a lengthy illness and died at the age of 64 on Sept. 13, 1997. Interment of the remains was in John Anderson Memorial Cemetery in Raccoon Township, and an obituary was published in the Beaver County Times.

• Grandson Allen Halllived in Shippingport, Beaver County circa 1997.

• Grandson Carl E. Hall Jr.made a home in Shippingport, Beaver County.

• Granddaughter Debbie Hall married (?) Johnson.She dwelled in Raccoon Township, Beaver County in the late 1990s.

• Granddaughter Sherry Hall wedded (?) Kovacick.They put down roots in Monaca, Beaver County.

• Granddaughter Vicki Hallestablished her residence in Aliquippa, Beaver County.

• Granddaughter Christine Hall was united in wedlock with (?) Pratt.In 1997, the couple was in Shippingport.

Daughter Luella Ritenour(1937- ? ) was born in about 1937 in Fayette County. She married (?) Nicholson.

Daughter Ida Elizabeth Ritenour(1939- ? ) was born in about 1939 in Fayette County. She was united in matrimony with (?) Nicholson ( ? - ? ).

Son Earnest William Ritenour ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). Circa 1963, he is believed to have wedded Linda Jean Prinkey ( ? - ? ), daughter of Mildred Prinkey of Melcroft, Fayette County.At the time, he was employed in Virginia by Oxford Construction Company. They were the parents of Earnest William Mark Ritenour III. The Ritenours relocated to Lorain, OH where they dwelled in 1974.

• Grandson Earnest William Mark Ritenour III(1971- ? ) was born in about 1971. He grew up in Lorain, OH.

Son Kenneth Eugene Ritenou ( ? - ? )

~ Daughter Rebecca (Ritenour) Ranker ~

Daughter Rebecca Ritenour (1912- ? ) was born in 1912. 

In the early 1930s, she resided with her divorced mother in Scottdale, Fayette County and was considered as "a popular member of Scottdale's younger set," said the Connellsville Daily Courier.

On June 10, 1933, at the age of 21, Rebecca married Eugene J. Ranker (1910-1964), son of John and Clara Ranker of Fairview Avenue in Connellsville. 

The ceremony was held in the Immaculate Conception Church with Rev. Henry Geibel officiating. In a headline article about what it called "an attractive and interesting wedding," the Daily Courier reported that Rebecca "wore a charming gown of shell pink organza over taffeta of the same hue, with a pale blue taffeta, sash, a pink horsehair picture hat, blue slippers and white gloves. She carried an arm bouquet of pin, rosebuds, blue delphinium and baby breath tied with blue taffeta ribbon." Eugene's sister Cornelia Ranker served as maid of honor, and his friend Leo Duncan was best man.

At the time of marriage, Eugene was employed as manager of Mason Motor Company. They made their home on South Hickory Street and later at 509 South Chestnut Street in Scottdale. By 1936, he was working for Scottdale Motor Company. An avid golfer, he was a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club and in 1948 served on its swimming pool committee and was involved in planning social activities. He also belonged to the Elks Club of Scottdale.

They produced these children -- Shirley Jean Sloan Stewart, Linda J. Ranker and Antoine "Toni" Rocksund.

Eugene owned the automobile business in Scottdale, Fayette County, PA for 10 years. They then made the decision to move to Florida in 1950, and established another Ranker Motors in Fort Myers. Their address was 4325 Princeton Street.

Eugene died in Fort Myers, FL, in August 1964, at the age of 54. 

Today, Eugene's nephew, John Ranker, owns the Ranker dealership in Connellsville.

Rebecca survived her husband by many years.

Daughter Shirley Jean Ranker (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935. At the age of 10 she underwent throat surgery at Frick Memorial Hospital in Mount Pleasant, PA. She moved to Fort Myers, FL with her parents in about 1950. Three years later, in March 1953, she was pictured in a full-page layout of the Fort Myers News-Press. The Daily Courier described the image showing Shirley "perched in the rigging of a shrimp boat. Festooned behind her are the nets. Miss Ranker, clad in a bathing suit, gives real appeal to the photograph." At the time, she was a freshman at the University of Miami. On June 18, 1955, Shirley was wedded to David Clifton Sloan ( ? - ? ), son of Thomas C. Sloan of Decatur, AL. The nuptials were held in the First Methodist Church of Fort Myers, with Rev. John J. Rooks officiating. In reporting on the wedding, the Daily Courier said that Shirley graduated from Charron William Commercial College in Miami and had attended the University of Miami for two years. David, a graduate of Florida Power and Light Electrical School, was an electrical journeyman for the company in Fort Myers. They had one son, Randall E.R. Sloan. Later, by the early 1960s, she married for a second time, to Edward S. Stewart ( ? - ? ). The couple produced one daughter of their own, Margo Schlotterbeck.

• Grandson Randall E.R. Sloan ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Margo Stewart (1963-2014) was born in about 1963 and grew up in Fort Myers. She married Paul R. Schlotterbeck ( ? - ? ) and lived in Fairview, NC. Their three children were Joseph Schlotterbeck, Thomas Schlotterbeck and Rebecca Schlotterbeck. The couple eventually divorced. Margo died in Fairview at the age of 51 on Aug. 12, 2014. An obituary was published in the News Press.

Daughter Linda J. Ranker (1943- ? ) was born in about 1943.

Daughter Antoine "Toni" Ranker (1949-2010) was born on Sept. 13, 1949 in Frick Memorial Hospital in Mount Pleasant. In about 1992, Toni married Russell A. Rocksund ( ? - ? ). They resided in Tennessee and Florida and had these children -- Jeanette R. Debiram, Joanne L. Ley, Justin R. Rocksund and Andrea R. Stricklin. Toni served as recording secretary of the Pilot Club of Fort Myers. Over the years, Toni graciously and unselfishly provided important material for this Minerd.com webpage. Sadly, Toni died on Feb. 9, 2010, in Florida, at the age of 60. Funeral services were held at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Fort Myers.

~ Daughter Sarah Agnes (Ritenour) Hoyle ~

Daughter Sarah Agnes Ritenour (1906- ? ) was born in about 1906.

On April 26, 1926, when she was 20 years of age, Sarah married Kenneth A. Hoyle ( ? -1975). He was the son of William and Sabina (Gates) Hoyle of the Browntown community in South Everson, Westmoreland County, PA. 

As an 18-year-old in 1922, Kenneth had endured a freak injury to his face, hands and knees after falling to the pavement from the window of a trolley car. 

The couple produced these six known children -- Kenneth A. Hoyle Jr., Colleen Schwartz, Mildred Lorraine Connors, Doris Shipley, Beatrice Eckenrod and Kenneth A. Hoyle Jr. II.

Heartache rocked the family when son Kenneth Jr. died at the age of only three hours, on Jan. 16, 1926, following a protracted labor and delivery using mechanical instruments. When Sarah bore another son in later years, he too was given the name "Kenneth A. Hoyle Jr."

In the 1940s and '50s, they dwelled at 5 Fifth in Scottdale, Fayette County. Kenneth was employed by National Tube Division of U.S. Steel Corporation in McKeesport, near Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA. He retired in 1951.

Kenneth was pronounced dead upon arrival at Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant on July 21, 1975. Interment was in Green Ridge Memorial Park, with Rev. Robert B. Patton officiating. An obituary in the Daily Courier said there were 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Daughter Colleen Hoyle ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On Jan. 6, 1948, she married Daniel W. Schwartz ( ? - ? ), son of Minnie Schwartz of Owensdale, PA. The ceremony was held at the home of the bride's parents in Scottdale, with Rev. Paul Morris officiating from the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Owensdale. Daniel had been married and divorced previously. They had these known children -- Kenneth C. Schwartz, Donald Eugene Schwartz, Tina Haney, Gary Schwartz, Ronald Schwartz and Kevin Schwartz. The couple eventually separated in the late 1960s or early '70s, with Daniel making a home in Everson, Westmoreland County. In the 1960s and '70s, Colleen lived in Scottdale in the home of her parents at 5 Fifth Avenue. During the Vietnam War, she worried as her son joined the U.S. Army. On day in 1967, the telephone rang with a call from her son's girlfriend. She had a copy of the August 1967 issue of Teen Life Magazine, featuring a photograph of Kenneth posing with Johnny Crawford, the teenager who co-starred with Chuck Connors in the popular television show Rifleman. Both men were serving in the Army when the image was snapped during the filming of a training movie in which both appeared. Colleen then obtained a copy of the magazine from a local news dealer. At the time, Kenneth was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX but soonafter shipped out to Korea for assignment at Kunson Air Force Base.

• Grandson Kenneth C. Schwartz served in Korea during the Vietnam War. He married Susan (?).

• Grandson Donald Eugene Schwartz (1962-2014) was born on Jan. 4, 1962 in Mount Pleasant. "Growing up his father figure and mentor was William Siegel," said a newspaper. On Oct. 24, 1981, he married his high school sweetheart, Janie Keller ( ? - ? ). The couple had one son, William Schwartz. They resided in Garland, TX, where for more than three decades Donald was employed by Lincoln Property Company as a service technician. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. In about 2008, he was diagnosed with cancer of the brain. He fought the disease for eight years and died on May 10, 2014. Said the family in a statement: "Normally you would hear people say that the person with cancer lost the fight, but we believe Don won the battle. He is now cancer free with his Heavenly Father." 

• Granddaughter Tina Schwartz married (?) Haney. 

• Grandson Gary Schwartz was wedded to Cathie Schmek. Their address in 1973 was 9 Second Avenue in Scottdale. They had at least one daughter, Prudence Rebecca Schwartz.

• Grandson Ronald Schwartz 

• Grandson Kevin Schwartz was united in matrimony with Jackie (?).

Daughter Mildred Lorraine Hoyle ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In about 1947, she was united in holy wedlock with Robert L. Connors ( ? - ? ), son of David Connors of Maple Street in nearby Everson. At the time, Robert was employed with R.E. Uptegraff Manufacturing Company in Scottdale. They lived at 7 Fifth Avenue in Scottdale had one son, Kenneth Lloyd Connors. On March 9, 1953, when she was age 24, Mildred left home without telling her family where she was going. Newspapers described her as five feet, four inches tall, "of slight build," with hazel eyes and auburn hair. Eventually the couple reunited. They lived in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County in the 1970s.

• Grandson Kenneth Lloyd Connors 

Daughter Doris Hoyle (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939. At the age of 11, as reported by the Connellsville Daily Courier, she underwent surgery for appendicitis at Frick Memorial Hospital in Mount Pleasant. She married Lewis Shipley ( ? - ? ) and made their residence in 1975 in Scottdale.

Daughter Beatrice Loretta Hoyle ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In 1958, she married Joseph Robert Eckenrod ( ? - ? ), the son of William and Mildred (Miller) Eckenrod of Mount Pleasant. The couple obtained their marriage license in Indiana County (PA). They initially resided with Beatrice's parents at 5 Fifth Avenue in Scottdale in 1958. They had one known child, Ricky D. Eckenrod. By 1965, they had relocated to Texas, making their place of dwelling in Mesquite, where they remained for many years.

• Grandson Ricky D. Eckenrod (1957- ? ) was born on Nov. 22, 1957 and on his first birthday was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

~ Stepdaughter Lyda (Ritenour) Ohler ~

Stepdaughter Lyda Ritenour (1877-1942) was born on July 15, 1877. 

On Oct. 3, 1907, at the age of 20, she was united in matrimony with 28-year-old Daniel Ohler (1877-1965). He was the son of John and Susan (Grimm) Ohler and resided in Normalville at the time. Justice of the peace A.G.C. Sherbondy officiated at the wedding.

They made their home in Connellsville and attended the Mount Tabor Church of God. Their children were George Ohler, Henry Ohler, Richard Ohler, Ira Ohler, Harold Ohler, Scott Ohler and Edith Davis.

Suffering from heart valve disease and rheumatic fever, Lydia died on Dec. 23, 1942, at the age of 55. H.D. Ohler of 224½ Wilbur Avenue in Columbus, OH signed the official certificate of death. Burial was in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

Daniel survived his bride by 23 years and made his home in Laurelville. He died in Uniontown, PA at the age of 88 on Sept. 27, 1965. Burial was in Mount Tabor Cemetery with Rev. Samuel Weibel officiating at the funeral.

Son George W. Ohler (1911-1940) was born on July 29, 1911. He never married. For four years, starting in about 1936, he lived on the farm of D.J. Beachley in Berlin, Somerset County, where he earned a living as a farm hand. On the fateful day of July 19, 1940, just 10 days before what would have been his 29th birthday, George shot himself in a suicide. His remains were placed into eternal repose in Mount Tabor Cemetery.

Son Henry Ohler (1905-1963) was born in about 1905 near Normalville. He married Mary (?) and relocated to Columbus, OH. They did not reproduce. Henry died in April 1963 in Columbus, and the Daily Courier noted that the funeral and interment was in Columbus.

Son Richard Ohler lived in Normalville.

Son Ira Ohler made his home in Connellsville.

Son Harold Ohler dwelled in Connellsville.

Son Scott Ohler resided in Mount Pleasant.

Daughter Helen "Edith" Ohler married Robert Davis. In 1963, they resided in Dunbar, Fayette County and in 1965 in Lemont Furnace near Uniontown, PA.

~ Stepdaughter Bertha (Ritenour) Garlick ~

Stepdaughter Bertha Ritenour (1897-1976) was born on April 4, 1897 in Springfield Township. 

Oeld on June 4, 1915, wen she was age 18, living at Normalville, she married 23-year-old Connellsville resident Raymond Garlick ( ? -1968). He was the son of William and Elizabeth Garlick and employed as a laborer at the time. Justice of the peace Ivan G. Sherbondy led the marriage ceremony at the home of A.G.C. Sherbondy. 

The Ritenours had seven children -- H.R. Garlick, Ray R. Garlick, Glenn G. Garlick, Eleanor Marie Garlick, Freida Schroyer, Sarah Elizabeth Shaffer and Pearl Honse. They also raised a grandson, David W. Garlick.

For many years, their home was in South Connellsville, where they operated a general store. Active in the community, Bertha was a member of the Daughters of America, Daughters of Veterans of the Civil War, Edna Rebekah Lodge of Connellsville, Dames of Malta, Nature Study Club and Happy Twelve Club. During World War II, she volunteered in the Connellsville Canteen. Bertha attended the Indian Creek Baptist Church in Mill Run and belonged to the Albright United Methodist Church.

Sadly, Raymond passed away in 1968. 

Bertha survived for another eight years and maintained her home at 210 West Allegheny Avenue in South Connellsville. At the age of 79, she died in Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant on Oct. 17, 1976. The Daily Courier noted in an obituary that she was survived by 22 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Son H.R. Garlick lived in South Connellsville.

Son Ray R. Garlick Sr. (1931-2018) was born on Christmas Eve 1931 in Connellsville. He was united in holy matrimony with Bertha "Jane" Mitchell (Jan. 21, 1933-2014), daughter of Russell and Sally Mae (Linderman) Mitchell of Humbert, Somerset County. They made residence in South Connellsville and were together for 61 years until the separation of death. The couple produced these five children -- Carol Ann Loughran, Ray R. Garlick Jr., Sharlene Dawn Adanitsch, Janie Fawn Garlick and James Michael Garlick. Ray had a strong work ethic and gravitated toward leadership positions in whatever he chose to do. He founded his own firm, Ray R. Garlick Builder and Home Improvement and was self-employed until retirement. He then went to work as a van driver with Professional Transport, Inc., only stepping down at age 80. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, "He served in the Army National Guard, 110th Infantry Medical Company, being called to active duty during the Korean War under Eisenhower and was stationed in Ulm, Germany. He was awarded the permanent rank of Corporal and was discharged as a Sergeant. He was most proud of his service to our country.... He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being around his family." Active in the community, he was a member and leader of the South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Department, South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, Local No. 9, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 21 of Connellsville, Albright United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 21 of Connellsville.He helped to construct the Singing Tower at Green Ridge Memorial Park and, as a masonry expert, achieved the status of master mechanic. While a Boy Scout master in South Connellsville, he led the only Sea Scout Ship Troop in the Fayette/Westmoreland County Chapter, sponsored by the Connellsville Elks. Bertha Jane earned income of her own at South Connellsville Elementary School, McCrory's Department Store, Leon's Department Store and Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. Sadly, the Garlicks endured the death of their daughter Carol Ann Loughran. Bertha Jane passed away on Aug. 20, 2014. Ray survived as a widower for about three-and-a-half years, and joined his wife in death at the age of 86 on Feb. 22, 2018 as a patient in Kane Glen Hazel Regional Center in Pittsburgh. Rev. Dr. Marvin Watson officiated at the funeral, with military honors provided by the American Legion Honor guard and Connellsville Veterans of Foreign Wars.

• Granddaughter Carol Ann Garlick (1955-1996) was born in 1955. She received a degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College. A talented musician, she played clarinet while touring Europe as a member of the American Youth Band. In 1980, when she was 25 years of age, she married Bernard Joseph "Buddy" Loughran (1952- ? ) III, a native of Darby, PA. The couple produced two children -- Kathleen R. Loughran and Daniel "Danny" Loughran. They relocated to California and were residents of Downey, later moving to Fremont, Alameda County in abouit 1982. The couple eventually divorced. While in Fremont, Carol was employed by Novell for 18 years as a financial analyst, and she was a member of Bethel Assembly of God Church. Sadly, she was stricken with breast cancer and joined Mothers with Breast Cancer Support Group. Unable to beat the illness, she died on April 26, 1996, at the age of 40.Interment was in the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, CA. An obituary was published in the Somerset Daily American, asking that any memorial donations be made to the Carol Ann Loughran Trust Fund to cover the cost of medical equipment for families.

• Grandson Ray R. Garlick Jr. married Paula. Their home in 1996-2018 was in Belle Vernon, PA.

• Granddaughter Sharlene Dawn Garlick married (?) Adanitsch.She lived in Mill Run, Fayette County in 1996 and today dwells in Front Royal, VA.

• Granddaughter Janie Fawn Garlickwedded (?) Orndorff. They divorced, and she makes her residence in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA.

• Grandson James Michael Garlicklived in Scottdale in 1996 and in Normalville, Fayette County in 2018.

Son Glenn G. Garlick established a home in Barberton, OH and was there in 1965.

Daughter Eleanor Marie Garlick (-1920-) died at birth the day after Christmas 1920, arriving as a breech birth. Her tender remains were placed into repose in Chestnut Hill Cemetery.

Daughter Freida Garlick (1918-1974) was born on Nov. 12, 1918 in South Connellsville. She married Donald Schroyer (March 20, 1914-1965), son of Leon Dale and Eliza B. (Weaver) Schroyer of Morgantown, WV. The couple dwelled in South Connellsville at 1711 Searson Street. The seven known offspring born to this union were Donald E. Schroyer Jr., Sherrill Goodwin, Martha Bielstein, Laodicia Porter, Irma O'Neal, Barbara Germock and Brenda Yagla. Donald earned a living as a machine operator at Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. Sadly, on the fateful day of Nov. 24, 1965, Donald suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to Connellsville State General Hospital, where he died. His remains were laid to rest in the Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mill Run. The now widowed Freida supported herself through employment from 1967 to 1974 as a nurses aide at the Connellsville State General Hospital. She held memberships in the Daughters of America, Magic Sister Council, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Edna Rebekah Lodge, Adahi Nature Study, RWB Club, Daughters of America and Ladies Auxiliary to the Eagles and at one time was president of the Girl Scout Leaders Club. She belonged to the Albight United Methodist Church and at times attended the Millertown Church in Indian Head. Sadly, Freida died in Frick Community Hospital at the age of 56 on Dec. 5, 1974.

• Grandson Donald E. Schroyer Jr.served in the U.S. Army in 1974 and was stationed in Nellingen, Germany.

• Granddaughter Sherrill Schroyermarried James R. Goodwin. They dwelled in South Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Martha Schroyerwedded William C. Bielstein. The couple bore at least one son, Todd Bielstein. They resided in Connellsville.Sadly, their son Todd died in 1969.

• Granddaughter Laodicia Schroyerentered into marriage with John R. Porter. Circa 1974, they were in Cody, WY.

• Granddaughter Irma Schroyerwas united in wedlock with Kenneth R. O'Neal. They made a home in Vanderbilt, Fayette County.

• Granddaughter Barbara Schroyerwas joined in matrimony with Harry G. Germock. The pair was in Dawson, Fayette County in 1974.

• Granddaughter Brenda Schroyermarried Patrick Yagla. Patrick served in 1974 in the U.S. Army.

Daughter Sarah Elizabeth Garlick was wedded to (?) Shaffer. She lived in South Connellsville in 1965-1976.

Daughter Pearl Garlick married Charles Honse ( ? - ? ). They made their residence in Mill Run, Fayette County.

~ Stepson George Washington Ritenour ~

Stepson George Washington Ritenour (1891-1972) was born on July 16, 1891 in or near Normalville, Fayette County.

He earned a living as a young man as a farm laborer, living under the roof of his father and stepmother. He stood 5 ffeet, 6 in ches tall, weighed 150 lbs., and had brown eyes and brown hair.

At the age of 24, on Dec. 7, 1915, he was wedded to 18-year-old Clarabelle Marie Thompson (1897-1950), daughter of John and Nancy (Shaffer) Thompson of Springfield Township. Justice of the peace Ivan G. Sherbondy officiated, with the nuptials held at the residence of John Grim.

The Ritenours together produced eight known children over a 22-year span -- Grace M. Ritenour, Duella Marie Smith, Violet Margaret Ritenour, Hazel E. Bender,Bertha Shaw,Herbert L. Ritenour, Robert C. Ritenour and Delores G. Poole.

During World War I, George was required to register for the military draft. He disclosed that he was a self-employed farmer in Normalville and had a wife and child to support.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the family dwelled in Springfield Township, Fayette County, with George working as a laborer in the timber industry. The census-taker spelled their last name "Ridenour."

By 1940, they had moved to Stewart Township, Fayette County. At that time, with the nation still in the grip of the Great Depression, he earned income as a road laborer with the Works Progress Administration, as did his half-brother Ernest. His employer in 1941 was Ralph Glover of Markleysburg, Fayette County.

Later, they relocated to McClellandtown, Fayette County.

Sadly, Clarabelle suffered from what physicians called "excessive obesity" in addition to heart and artery problems. She died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 53, on Sept. 1, 1950, ending their marriage of 35 years. 

George spent his final time in their home in Mount Sterling near Masontown, Fayette County. He died there at the age of 81 on Nov. 24, 1972. An obituary in the Daily Courier said he was survived by 17 grandchildren. After a funeral service held in McClellandtown, near Uniontown, his remains were transported to Mount Tabor Cemetery for interment.

Daughter Grace M. Ritenour (1917- ? ) was born in about 1917. When she was about age 15, her mother asked 42-year-old railroad foreman Augustine Mateo to take the teenager into his residence. The arrangement did not end well, and Matteo was charged with statutory rape and arrested. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, Matteo:

...believed the girl's story that she was 17 years old and wanted a home. After buying her clothes and seeing to it that members of her family were properly provisioned, Mateo said that he started life with the young girl as his sweetheart. It was not until his money ran out and he was no longer able to provide for the parents that information was made against him by the girl's father, George W. Ritenour, Mateo declared. He has been in jail since December 30 last. District Attorney Newell said he had investigated and had found the girl's character to be "very bad." Attorney Maxwell Lizza, representing Matteo, said the girl had been in the habit of hiding in the bushes and "grabbing at any man who came along" and that Mateo had elevated her social position considerable when he gave her a home... He was fined $100 and costs by the court.

The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows the 23-year-old Grace in her parents' household near Ohiopyle, Fayette County. Nothing more about her life is known.

Daughter Duella Marie Ritenour (1923-1945) was born on May 12, 1923 in Mill Run, Fayette County. At the age of 11, in 1934, she was the object of a sexual assault by local man Lemon John, considered a "Mill Run mountaineer," said the Uniontown Evening Standard. John had enticed Duella and her 18-year-old sister Grace to travel to Kittanning, PA for "immoral purposes." He had won the girls' trust by driving them to Connellsville for medical treatment at times, but then on one particular day did not stop in Connellsville as expected but instead kept going. After a sexually motivated attack by John, Duella left Kittanning and hitch-hiked home, where she explained to her father all that had happened. John was arrested and then arraigned in November 1934 and sentenced by Judge Thomas H. Hudson to a term of two-and-a-half to five years in the Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh. Duella eventually entered into marriage with Harry S. Smith ( ? - ? ). Circa 1940, the pair established a home in -- of all places -- rural Kittanning. As she neared her 22nd birthday, on April 30, 1945, she gave birth to a baby. But five days after the delivery, she suffered a pulmonary embolism and within 30 minutes was dead, on May 5, 1945. Burial was in Center Hill Cemetery in Armstrong County.

• Baby Smith (1945- ? ) was born on April 30, 1945. More will be added here once learned.

Daughter Violet Margaret Ritenour (1926- ? ) was born on Sept. 29, 1926 in Connellsville, Fayette County. She only attended first grade in school and never married. For years, she lived with her widowed father. She died in McClellandtown, Fayette County at the age of about 73 on Aug. 18, 1999.

Daughter Hazel E. Ritenour (1928-1992) was born on March 11, 1928. On Oct. 26, 1955, she married Walter Bender (1924-1998). The Benders made their home in Ashland, Ashland County, OH, and are thought to have been farmers. Their address n 1959 was 722 Cahn Avenue. Evidence suggests that Hazel died in Ashland's Samaritan Hospital at the age of 64 on Sept. 12, 1992.

Daughter Bertha Ritenour (1932-1981) was born on May 8, 1931. She was wedded to William Earl Shaw (1921-1988), a native of Armstrong County, PA. The couple lived in Mount Sterling, Fayette County. She died on Feb. 26, 1981. William outlived her by seven years. He was spirited away in death in Masontown on Dec. 4, 1988.Their hand-lettered grave marker stands in the McClellandtown Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Son Herbert Lindburgh Ritenour (1935-2009) was born on Jan. 24, 1935. He may have been named in part for Charles Lindbergh, the famed American aviator whose trans-Atlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis was the sensation of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Circa 1957, at the age of about 22, he is believed to have been joined in a marital bond with Anna Roman (Sept. 14, 1922-2008). Two known daughters produced by the couple were Rose Marie Ritenour and one other who has not yet been identified. They lived in at Gates Hill in Adah, German Township, Fayette County in 1968-2009. Their world was turned upside down in 1972 when their daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After surgery, Rose Marie never fully recovered and was homebound after that, requiring specialized care and not returning to school. Anna succumbed to the angel of death on Nov. 30, 2008. Herbert only lived for another few months and died on Feb. 21, 2009.

• Granddaughter Rose Marie Ritenour (1960-2021) was born on July 12, 1960 in Uniontown. Her birth was announced on the pages of the Uniontown and Connellsville newspapers. As a young girl she attended German Township Junior High School. Tragically, in 1972, at the age of 12, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent several surgeries. She did not recover fully and "was never able to return to school," reported the Uniontown Morning Herald. The family's medical bills were very high, and Rose Marie's fellow students at German, under the supervision of principal Louis F. Rozzi, pitched in together to raise funds to help. At Thanksgiving 1973, the family received a check for more than $300. Rose Marie lived with her disability for another 48 years. She liked to attend bingo games in Masontown with her sister. Sadly, due to the effects of the coronavirus, she died at the age of 60 on March 18, 2021.

Son Robert C. Ritenour (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938. He dwelled in Masontown, Fayette County. 

Daughter Delores Jean Ritenour (1939-1975) was born on Oct. 2, 1939 in Sugarloaf near Ohiopyle, Fayette County. She married Albert Poole ( ? - ? ). The family dwelled in Mount Sterling and Leckrone, Fayette County. The children born to this union were William Poole, Betty Jean Poole, Albert Poole Jr., Margaret Poole, Herbert Poole and George Poole. Sadness cascaded over the family when Delores Jean died in West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown, at the age of 37, on Oct. 14, 1975. Her obituary appeared in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Following a funeral service preached by Rev. A.A. Anderson, the remains were interred in McClellandtown Cemetery.

• Grandson William Poole ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Betty Jean Poole ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Albert Poole Jr. ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Margaret Poole ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Herbert Poole ( ? - ? )

• Grandson George Poole ( ? - ? )

~ Stepson Winfield "Scott" Ritenour ~

Stepson Winfield "Scott" Ritenour (1893-1976) was born on Sept. 6, 1893 in Springfield Township. He was named after the famed Army general of the Mexican-American and Civil Wars.

Scott earned a living as a young man as a farm laborer. 

He married Mary Jane Shaffer ( ? -1972).

They produced five children -- Raymond O'Donald Ritenour, Woodrow W. Ritenour, John Hiram Ritenour, J. Harold Ritenour and Dorothy Clark.

Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, Scott was "a lifelong resident of Springfield Township, a retired farmer and lumberman, and a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where he was an honorary deacon, a former Sunday school superintendent, and held other church offices."

Mary passed away in 1972.

Scott died at home at the age of 82 on June 19, 1976. The Daily Courier counted his survivors as 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Son Raymond O'Donald Ritenour (1913-2009) was born on Aug. 27, 1913 in Sprigfield Township, Fayette County. He was twice-married. Raymond's first bride was Genevieve Mildred Echard (1910-1981), said to have been the daughter of Samuel E. and Phoebe Jane (Workman) Echard. They were the parents of Joan Ritenour and Jacklin R. Ritenour. Sadness cascaded over the family when daughter Joan was stillborn on Aug. 9, 1933. Her tender remains were lowered under the sod of Mount Tabor Cemetery. Raymond seems to have formed a sawmill business and in 1940 he and Genevieve, along with his younger brother Woodrow, lived together in Kingwood, Preston County, WV, operating the business. They later moved back to Normalville where Raymond earned a living as a carpenter for building contractors and as a drag line operator at local coal mines. He held a membership in the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, "Raymond loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and a charter member of the Normalville Rod & Gun Club."Sadly, Genevieve passed away in 1981. Raymond's second spouse was Hazel M. (McBeth) Firestone ( ? -1996). She died in 1996. Raymond's final home was in South Connellsville. With his health failing, he was admitted to Eicher's Family Home in Normalville, and died there age the age of 95 on June 3, 2009. The Daily Courier published his obituary. Rev. Dr. Marvin Watson presided at the funeral, with burial following in Mount Tabor Cemetery.

• Grandson Jacklin R. Ritenour (1937-2024) was born on May 16, 1937 in Connellsville. He was a 1955 graduate of Connellsville High School. He served in the National Guard for six years and was employed by West Penn Power for 33 years, one of many cousins in the family to work for the company. He held a membership in the local lodge of the Elks. Jack tied the marital cord with Barbara A. Conaway ( ? -living). The planted themselves in South Connellsville. Two sons in this family were Ryan T. Ritenour and Rusty Curtis Ritenour. Sadly, they endured the untimely death of their son Rusty in 2011. Death enveloped him at the age of 86, in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, on March 2, 2024. Burial was in Green Ridge Memorial Park, with an obituary appearing in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

  Great-grandson Ryan T. Ritenour married Sherry. They dwelled in Dunbar, PA in 2011. Two offspring in this family were Corey Ritenour and Anthony Ritenour.

  Great-grandson Rusty Curtis Ritenour (1965-2011) was born on Jan. 6, 1965 in Connellsville. He was a 1983 graduate of Connellsville Area High School. He wed Lisa Dawn Miller ( ? -living). They did not reproduce. In about 2003, the pair relocated to the town of Manor. He was employed by Irwin Car in Blairsville as a machinist. In his free time he enjoyed animals, the outdoors, jet-skiing, travel and following the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sadly, he died unexpectedly in UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh at the age of 46 on May 5, 2011. Interment was in Green Ridge Memorial Park, with Lyn Maenz giving a eulogy.  The Connellsville Daily Courier printed an obituary. The widowed Lisa has remained in Manor.

Son Woodrow Wilson Ritenour (1920-2018) was born on Feb. 3, 1920 in Connellsville and was named for the President of the United States. In 1936, at the age of 16, he began driving a truck for his brother Raymond to earning a living. Two years later, in mid-December 1938, at a railroad crossing at East Fayette Street in Uniontown, he was forced to jump to safety before his vehicle was rammed and demolished by a freight train of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, the vehicle "was empty and was on its way east to the mountains for a load of pit posts. Impact of the blow sent the vehicle into a spein. On the second turn, Ritenour, stunned at the suddenness of the collision, leaped to safety... The diver said he failed to see the blinker lights at the crossing and was on the tracks when he first noticed the train." When the brother and family moved to Kingwood, Preston County, presumably to begin a sawmill business, Woodrow joined them as a truck driver for the work and was under their roof as of 1940. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army with the rank of private. He later returned to Normalville and may have begun working in timber projects in West Virginia. On Christmas Eve, 1946, the 26-year-old Woodrow entered into marriage with 20-year-old R. Claribel Smith (Sept. 29, 1926-2010), daughter of Robert L. and Ethel (George) Smith of Ashford, WV. Their nuptials were held in Kanawha County, WV, by the hand of Rev. N.D. Cavender. They union held fast over and extraordinary 63 years. She was a 1944 graduate of Sherman High School and a lifelong Democrat.

Three children of this pairing were Cindy L. Hall, Randy D. Ritenour and Robert W. Ritenour. In 1952, they are known to have hosted meetings of the Friendship Sunday School of the Pleasant Hill Evangelical United Brethren Church back home in Pennsylvania. The family pulled up stakes and by 1962 migrated for good to the Mountain State. Advertising in the Charleston (WV) Sunday Gazette Mail shows his name in promotions for home-building using Insulite Primed Siding products. The family owned and operated Ritenour & Sons with Claribel doing the office work. As of 1962-1968, his address was Nitro, WV. Woodrow in 1966 was appointed by Gov. Hulett C. Smith to a task force to study statewide housing needs through 1968. They made their home in St. Albans, WV in the 1970s-2009 timeframe. They belonged to the local lodge of the Moose. Sadly, Claribel passed away on April 19, 2010 as a patient in Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston. Rev. Joel M. Harpold presided over the final rites. Woodrow survived for another eight years. He died at the age of 98 on Aug. 24, 2018. Burial was in the sacred soil of Grandview Memorial Park in Dunbar, WV.

• Granddaughter Cindy L. Ritenour was joined in wedlock with Larry Hall. They lived in Winfield, WV in 2010. 

• Grandson Randy D. Ritenour was united in matrimony with Mary. They settled in St. Albans, WV.

• Grandson Robert W. Ritenour wed Pennie. Circa 2010, their residence was in St. Albans, WV. 

Son John Hiram Ritenour (1917-1964) was born on Feb. 6, 1917 at Pleasant Hill in Springfield Township. On June 2, 1938, he entered into marriage with Dorothy Mildred Bigam ( ? - ? ), daughter of Ralph C. Bigam of Springfield Pike. Their ceremony was held at the First United Brethren Church, with Rev. Elmer A. Schultz officiating. In announcing the happy event, the Connellsville Daily Courier said that the bride "was attractive in a three-piece strawberry wool ensemble with navy blue accessories. Her shoulder corsage was of Johanna Hill roses and blue delphinium, tied with matching satin ribbon." Dorothy was a 1935 graduate of Connellsville High School and at the time of marriage worked in sales at the G.C. Murphy store. The couple made their home in Normalville and produce a son, John H. Ritenour. John labored as an automobile mechanic at the Harry Sparks garage in Indian Head and later formed his own business, John's Garage, along Route 711 between Normalville and Indian Head. He held a membership in the Connellsville lodge of the Moose. John was burdened with hardening of the arteries and suffered a massive stroke in the fall of 1964. After lingering for 14 hours, the angel of death cleaved him away in Connellsville State General Hospital at the age of 47 on Oct. 2, 1964. Rev. Sam Weibel led the funeral rites. His remains lie in eternal repose in Mount Tabor Cemetery.

• Grandson John H. Ritenour ( ? - ? ) 

Son J. Harold Ritenour wed Elaine Dennis ( ? - ? ), daughter of Carl and Lorella (Smitley) Dennis of Markleysburg, PA. Circa 1964-2021, they resided in Waynesburg, Greene County, PA.

Invasion of Saipan in WWII, in which Frank Clark took part

Daughter Dorothy Irene Ritenour (1923-2021) was born on May 12, 1923 in Springfield Township, Fayette County. On Aug. 2, 1941, just four months before the United States was plunged into World War II, she entered into marriage with Harry Franklin Clark (March 27, 1920-2011), son of Frank M. and Lavina Pearl (Geiger) Clark. They stayed together through the thick and think of an extraordinary 70 years. Four children borne of this union were Harry Franklin Clark Jr., Linda Lee Pritts, Ronald Scott Clark and Gregory Clark. Harry joined the U.S. Army during the war and held the rank of private. During his term of military service, from January 1942 to August 1945, he was deployed to the Pacific Theatre, seeing action in the bloody battles of Tinian and Saipan. Afterward, they made their longtime home in the Pleasant Hill section of Connellsville. When the 1950 federal census enumeration was made, they lived along Route 711, and he earned a living as a foreman in the rubber industry. Harry also was a member of the Carpenters' Union and, in his free time, was a passionate model railroad builder. The Clarks are known to have attended Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. In August 2011, just three months before his death, the couple marked their 70th wedding anniversary. Sadly, Harry was spirited away by the angel of death on Nov. 9, 2011. The headcount of his survivors at the time was 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Watson officiated the funeral. Dorothy endured as a widow for another decade. She died on Aug. 7, 2021. Their remains are in repose in Mount Tabor Cemetery.

• Grandson Harry Franklin Clark Jr. (1943- ? ) married Barbara. They settled in North East, PA.

• Granddaughter Linda Lee Clark (1947- ? ) was born in about 1947. She was a 1964 graduate of Connellsville Joint Senior High School and went on to attend Seton Hill College. On Nov. 14, 1964, at the age of 17, she tied the knot with Carl Edward Pritts ( ? - ? ), son of Milton Pritts of near Mount Pleasant. Their wedding was conducted by rev. William Hoffman in the Mount Carmel Community Church in Prittstown. In an announcement about the wedding, the Connellsville Daily Courier said she wore "a floor-length gown of bouquet taffeta and Italian lace, fashioned with fitted bodice of lace, jewel neckline outlined with scalloped lace, long tapering sleeves and the bell-shaped oval overskirt of taffets revealed a wide swathe of lace at the hemline caught up in a drape at the front with handmade roses. Her bouffant veil of silk illusion was caught ina headdress of pearls and crystals and she carried a crescent bouquet of white carnations, centered with a white orchid." The groom was a 1961 alumnus of East Huntingdon High School and at the time of marriage worked for Permali Inc. of Mount Pleasant. As of 2011, Linda was in Connellsville.

• Grandson Ronald Scott Clark (1949- ? ) wed Barbara. They have made a home in Connellsville.

• Grandson Gregory Clark moved to Commerce, GA.

Copyright © 2001-2006, 2014, 2016, 2024 Mark A. Miner