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.
John M. Ritondaro was born on June 8, 1925, to the late Nick and Rose (nee Mitchko), and passed away on Dec. 15, 2022. He lived in Chardon for the last 72 years and grew up in Chester Township.
John attended St. Mary Catholic Church, in Chardon, where he was a longtime usher. He was also a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA), VFW and Eagles in Chardon.
John was a World War II 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 on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, 401 North St., Chardon. Burial following with Military Honors at Chardon Cemetery.
Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of John at The DeJohn Funeral Home & Crematory of Chardon (formerly Ritondaro), 126 South St., on Dec. 20, 2022, from 10-11 a.m.
Online obituary and guestbook at www.DeJohnCares.com.
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