Harold T. Rittenhouse, 89, of North Mulberry Street, Lancaster, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his residence on Saturday, May 17, 2014.
He and his wife Dorothy Laura Fisher Rittenhouse celebrated 67 years of marriage this past August.He was born in Lancaster, a son of the late Henry Fisher and Estella Gertrude Heaps Rittenhouse.
He attended J.P. McCaskey High School where he was an exceptional wrestler and then was called into the US Army during WWII, serving as a Private with the 275th Field Artillery Battalion.
Following his military service he was employed by Penn State Music Company and then heowned and operated his own business, Independent Music Company. He had a great passion for music and could play both the piano and accordion.Following his retirement from the music business, he worked for both the Lancaster County Courthouse and Red Rose Pharmacy.
Mr. Rittenhouse was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints where he served in various church positions.
Beside his passion for music, he had a great love for sports as he was growing up. Throughout his life he was a very compassionate person who cared for others.He had a great and unique sense of humor and was known as the Mayor of Mulberry Street. Harold will forever be remembered, sitting on a lawn chair in front of his home showing neighborly kindness to all who passed by.
Harold was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.He was deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed by all.
Surviving beside his wife are 6 children, Laura R. (Daniel) Knarr of Lancaster, Judith A. (Dennis) Boyd of Lancaster, Diane M. Mack of Blue Springs, MO, Deborah R. (Timothy) McHugh of Safford, AZ, Melinda R. (Buckley) Condie of Hockessin, DE, and Harold Thaddeus (Carolyn S.) Rittenhouse, Jr. of Lancaster; 28 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; and a sister Virginia (James) Wardrop of Lancaster.
Harold was preceded in death by an infant daughter Karen Lynn, a granddaughter Kristin Mack, a sister Betty Taylor, and two brothers, Henry F. Rittenhouse, Jr. and Victor N. Rittenhouse.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1200 East King Street, Lancaster, PA on Friday at 2:00 PM.Interment will follow in Quarryville Cemetery.A viewing will be held at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of service. Kindly omit flowers.Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Quarryville, PA.To send an online note of condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit our website at reynoldsfuneralhome.net.