Ernest Rithamel

Ernest “Ernie” Rithamel led a simple life. As a very salt of the earth kind of person, he was a hard worker from his earliest moments. The man he grew into reflected that fact, as he was a stable, genuine and trustworthy man people were proud to know.

The first years of the 1940s marked a tumultuous decade for America, as well as the rest of the world. In Europe, fighting erupted between Allied and Axis forces and America would soon be drawn into this conflict by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was into this chaotic world that Ernest Royal Rithamel was born on October 28, 1941, in South Haven, Michigan. He was the second youngest of six children born to Alfred and Isabel (Danz) Rithamel. Along with his siblings Ernie enjoyed a typical childhood growing up on James Street on the north side of Holland, Michigan. He spent his academic career in the Holland Public Schools.

It was at Holland High that Ernie met his future bride, Linda Souter. The two would often meet down on 8th Street, where in those days young people would cruise the strip. As fate would have it, Ernie and Linda fell in love and were married in 1960. It wasn’t the two of them for long though, as they soon welcomed the birth of their first child, son Ernest “Richard”, in 1961. He was joined a year later by Karen in 1962, Dean in 1964, and Amy in 1966, rounding out the Rithamel family with four children.

Ernie and Linda raised their children in a stable home at 57 Aniline Avenue, just across from the Chris Craft boat factory in Holland. To support his growing family, Ernie worked at Crampton Manufacturing Co. for some time before going into business for himself. He owned and operated ITS Grinding of Holland, which was an industrial tool and cutter-grinding shop, and he was quite successful for over 30 years. Unfortunately, his marriage to Linda was not as successful and they divorced in 1985.

When it came to having fun, Ernie enjoyed spending much of his leisure time in the great outdoors. Over the years, he did lots of hunting and fishing. Ernie also liked to hit the road on his prized 650 Triumph motorcycle with its thunderous rumbling and shiny chrome sparkling in the sun. He founded and was a member of the Searchers Motorcycle Club and served as President for years. Ernie was also a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge of Holland. When not on the seat of his motorcycle, Ernie loved to be in the kitchen cooking – he was an amazing chef. He even had a restaurant grade deep fryer in his house for all cooking he did for his family, the Moose Lodge and the motorcycle club. There wasn’t anyone who would pass up an opportunity to eat some of Ernie’s great cuisine.

Ernie was an all around good man, and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Ernest Royal Rithamel, age 66 of Holland, MI, died on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at Holland Hospital. He was preceded in death by his son, Ernest “Rich” Rithamel, in 2000; and sisters: Mary Ann and Patsy. His family includes his daughter, Karen and Doug DeVries of Hudsonville; son, Dean and Christina Rithamel of Holland; daughter, Amy DeLoof of Arkansas; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; brother, Leon and Dorothy Rithamel of Holland; sisters, Laverne and Bill Borr of Holland, Janet Van Huis of Texas; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20, at the Northwood Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland. Visiting will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Holland. Please visit Ernie’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.