12/22/2022

Obituary for John M. Ritondaro

Former Owner of The DeJohn Funeral Home & Crematory (formerly Ritondaro)

John M. Ritondaro age 97, beloved husband of the late Magdalene (nee Tvergyak); loving father of Tony and the late Sam (wife Theresa) and Jane; devoted grandfather of Justin Saeger; cherished son of the late Nick and Rose (nee Mitchko); dearest brother of the late Dorothy Darrah, Frieda Williamson, Ludwig “Dick”, Rosemarie Nelson, Edward, and Mary Gundersen; dear uncle and great-uncle of many. He was a WWII U.S. Navy Veteran.

John M. Ritondaro was born on June 8, 1925 to the late Nick and Rose (nee Mitchko) and passed away on December 15, 2022. He lived in Chardon, Ohio for the last 72 years and grew up in Chesterland, Ohio. John attended St. Mary Catholic Church in Chardon where he was a long-time usher. He was also a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA), VFW, and Eagles in Chardon. John was a WWII United States Navy Veteran. He attended Chesterland High School and graduated in 1943, before going to college at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. After graduation, John was licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer and went on to start the Ritondaro Funeral Home in Chardon in 1951. John had many foster children and adopted two sons. He enjoyed boating and gardening. The things that gave him the most enjoyment in life were his dogs and cooking. John was fun loving, high spirited, very friendly, social, hardworking and had a great sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of John to St. Mary Church. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church 401 North Street, Chardon. Burial was following with Military Honors at Chardon Cemetery. Family received friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of John at THE DeJOHN Funeral Home & Crematory of Chardon (formerly Ritondaro) on December 20, 2022.