Barbara A. Ritzi

Barbara A. Ritzi, age 73 of Hamilton passed away at her residence on Monday, November 1, 2010. She was born in Hamilton on May 29, 1937 the daughter of Louis and Clara (Bittinger) Schurfranz. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1955. Barbara was a member of St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church. On October 8, 1955 she married Paul Ritzi and he preceded her in death in 2003. Barbara was devoted to her husband who was the love of her life. She has been an inspiration to her children and grandchildren and they will always remember her great sense of humor and positive attitude.

She is survived by four children, Paul (Carole) Ritzi, Jr. of Hamilton, Pam (Dan) Koenig of Hamilton, Carol Pater of Cincinnati, and Patti (Paul) Young of Hamilton; two sisters, Joan Schurfranz of Erlanger, Kentucky and Gail McWilliams of Hamilton; eleven grandchildren, Nicholas (Liz) Ritzi, Lauren (Josh) Burke, Amy Koenig, Angie (Dave) McClain, Andy Koenig, Nicole (Adam) Schneider, Jessica and Chelsey Pater, Ben and Matt Combs, and Bobby Young; three great-grandchildren, Faith, Isabella, and Bo; stepsister, Barbara (Phillip) Redding of Middletown; stepbrother, Richard (Barbara) Sterling of Dayton; sister-in-law, Toshiko Sterling of Fairfield; and a special friend and caregiver, Winnie Wolfram of Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her mother, Clara Schurfranz; father and stepmother, Louis and Helen Schurfranz; her daughter, Susan Ritzi; a brother-in-law, John McWilliams; and a stepbrother, Robert Sterling.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 2550 Millville Avenue, on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Friday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to : The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org, or Stephen T Badin High School, 571 New London Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013.