Ralph E. Ritz, age 88, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, at Village Green Health Campus in Greenville, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on January 7, 1938, in Darke County to the late Raymond and Treva (Bruner) Ritz. Ralph was a 1956 graduate of Arcanum High School. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War era.

Ralph was a dairy farmer for 33 years and later retired after 28 years as a bus driver for Parkway High School in Rockford. He was proud of his work and enjoyed helping on the farm throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife, Opal (Rogers) Ritz, whom he was married to for 22 years before her passing on July 31, 1979; his second wife, Nancy (Rogers) Ritz, who passed away on December 14, 2025, after 40 years together; and his siblings, Raymond (Janet) Ritz and Louise (Bob) Riffell.

Ralph will be deeply missed by his son, Roger (Terri) Ritz of Arcanum; Nancy's children, Amy (Robert) Rummage of North Carolina and Scott (Jenny) Nolte of Michigan; 13 grandchildren, Kellie (Ethan) Wasson, Kimberly (Jake) Henry, Rachelle Rummage, Nathan (Karolina) Rummage, Sarah (Matthew) Longwell, Daniel Rummage, Becca (Michael) Yarborough, Bethany Rummage, Eden Rummage, David Rummage, Brenden Nolte, Micah (Maggie) Nolte, and Laynie Nolte; six great-grandchildren, Braxton, Lynleigh, Grady, Preston, Johnathan, and Hope; his half-sister, Dixie Robbins; and several nieces and nephews.

Ralph was a true family man who cherished time spent with those he loved. He especially enjoyed having family visit and spending time playing with his grandchildren. He loved helping on the farm and took great pride in showing cows at the Darke County Fair. Ralph was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes. He was also a strong supporter of Parkway School and the Rockford community.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina, with Pastor Dana Smith officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Following the service, military honors will be conducted by the Celina American Legion Post 210 and the Celina VFW Post 5713.

Burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery, 711 OH-503, Arcanum, Ohio 45304.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to EverHeart Hospice, 1350 N. Broadway St., Greenville, Ohio 45331.

The family is being served by Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina and St. Marys, who are honored to care for Ralph and his loved ones. To share condolences, memories, or expressions of sympathy, please visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or the Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.