Bruce is survived by his wife, Joan C. (Myers) Ritz whom he married November 4, 1978; children, Diane & Neal Crawford of Greenville, Susan & Rick Threewits of Union City, Ohio, Gary Ritz of Cincinnati and Colton Ritz & fiancée, Jennifer Smith of Evansville, Indiana; grandchildren, Amy & Randall Waymire, Megan Threewits and Brandon Bruce Ritz; great-grandchildren, Payton Threewits, AJ Waymire, Allyson Waymire and Liam Waymire; sisters & brother-in-law, Rebecca York of Arcanum and Patricia & Rodney Hill of Greenville; brothers-in-law, David Frazee of Florida, Ronald Myers & Willowdean Bruckner of Arcanum, John & Judy Myers of Piqua, Roger Myers & Beth Weaver of Greenville and Richard & Peggy Myers of Illinois; sisters-in-law, Carol Ritz of Greenville, Rita Myers of Greenville, Kay & Rick Jones of Ansonia, Sue Mills of Greenville, Janet & Doug Clemens of Greenville, Mary & Bruce Williams of Greenville, Linda & Tom Boyer of Greenville and Lisa Payne & Kenny Rawls of Grove City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bruce was also preceded in death by his 1st wife, Marjorie A. (Flatter) Ritz; son, Galen L. Ritz in infancy; sister, Carolyn Frazee; brothers, Larry & Rodney Ritz; brothers-in-law, Gene Myers and Jack Myers; and sister-in-law, Tina Myers.
Bruce was a farmer, raising livestock and crops. He formerly worked at Arcanum-Butler Schools and NCR in Dayton. Bruce was an avid blood donor with a total of 20 gallons that he has donated to help save lives. Bruce loved to fish, hunt, bowl, play dirtball, square dance and watch birds.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 29, 2016 at the Brethren Retirement Community Chapel 750 Chestnut Street in Greenville with Pastor Mark Lemar officiating. Burial will follow in Ithaca Cemetery in Ithaca. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville and Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel at the Brethren Retirement Community. Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Hospice or Youth for Christ. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
