Mary Louise "Merrielu" (Jacob) Ritz

Mary Louise "Merrielu" Ritz,  87,  of Streetsboro passed away Tuesday June 2, 2015 at her residence with her family by her side.  She was born in Kent, Ohio on February 22, 1928 to the late B. Harold and Marjorie (Fenn) Jacob.  Mrs. Ritz  has lived in Streetsboro since 1970 and retired in 1986 from the Streetsboro City Schools where she was a kindergarten Teacher.  Merrielu was also an artist and painter.  She was a member of the Streetsboro United Church.  Her many clubs and organizations included the JR. Thursday Literary Club, Hudson Society of Artists, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Portage County Retired Teacher's Association, the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Member and in 1975 she received the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America award.  Survivors include her daughters Susan (Richard) Holloway of St. Louis, MO., Jane Ritz and Marjorie (Mark) Crock both of Streetsboro, 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren,  her sister Sandrya (Fred) Nack of Globe, AZ. and her step children Cynthia (David) Ratliff of Parma, Ohio, Jeffery L. (Julie) Johnston of GA.    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands Ernest L. Ritz in 1988, Howard F. Johnston in 2005 and her stepson Howard F. Johnston , Jr.  Memorial calling hours will be Saturday June 6, 2015 from 4 PM until time of Memorial Services at 5:00 Pm at the Streetsboro United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Baer officiating.  Private family inurnment will take place in Standing Rock Cemetery Kent, Ohio.  In honor of Mary's wishes memorial donations may be made to the Portage County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund 2417 Duck Pond Dr. Ravenna, Ohio 44266.  Memories and condolences of Mary may be shared with the family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Streetsboro Chapel.

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