Rittenhouse, Jacob Z. (1908-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Aug 19 p. 11

Birth date: 1908

text of obituary:

JACOB Z. RITTENHOUSE

Jacob Z. Rittenhouse, 94, died Aug. 9, 2002, in the skilled nursing unit at Souderton (Pa.) Mennonite Homes. He was born to Jacob C. and Alice Ziegler Rittenhouse in Towamencin.

He married Ruth Hackman in October 1930. He was a lifetime Lansdale resident until moving to Souderton Mennonite Homes in 1993.

He was employed as an accountant for Ralph's Market in Lansdale until retiring after 28 years. He served Lansdale Mennonite Church as pastor for 51 years, being ordained in 1942 and retiring in 1993. He was also involved in evangelistic outreach throughout the United States and Canada. He was a founder and radio pastor of Life With God broadcasts from 1962 to 1969, a ministry of Franconia Mennonite Conference. He was a pioneer in Christian education, being instrumental in the beginning stages of Franconia Mennonite School, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and LaHay Christian School.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Evelyn Nice of Barhamsville, Va.; a son, Jacob and his wife, Nancy, of Hesston, Kan.; a brother, J. Warren Rittenhouse of Lansdale; a sister, Mary Fluck of Souderton; six grandsons and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Irene Bishop, Elizabeth Clemmer and Ada Clemens.

Funeral services were held at Plains Mennonite Church in Hatfield. Burial was in the Plains Mennonite Church Cemetery.