John C. Ritola, 89, Atlantic Mine

John C. Ritola, 89, a resident of Atlantic Mine, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 

Our Lady of Mercy Convalescent Home in Hubbell, where he had been a resident 

patient. 

He was born on February 2, 1937, in Detroit, MI, a son of the late William and Florence (Kostamo) Ritola. John was raised in various parts of the Midwest as his family would 

travel with his father’s work as an engineer. 

Mr. Ritola followed his father’s footsteps for a while and became an engineer working 

for GM Delco for a few years and then was part of the faculty at the University of 

Illinois. He then went back to school and became a Pharmacist and began a career 

working for the VA at the Chicago West Side VA Medical Center, retiring after 28 years. 

In 2000, John moved to make his home in Atlantic Mine. He was an active member of 

Our Savior Lutheran Church of Atlantic Mine and enjoyed working on vintage cars, and 

gardening fruits and vegetables in his retirement. 

A funeral service for John will be held 5:00 pm Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Memorial 

Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service Mt. View Chapel of South Range, with Licensed 

Lay Minister Elaine Hendrickson to officiate. Burial will be in the Atlantic Mine 

Cemetery at a later time. 

Friends may call on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4:00 pm until time of services at the 

Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range. 

To view John’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit 

www.memorialchapel.net 

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range 

is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John C. Ritola, 

please visit our flower store.