James B. “Jim” Rittle, 86, of Annville, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at MS Hershey Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Linda L. (Mease) Rittle, who passed away in December 2021.
Jim was born in Lebanon on July 18, 1936, to the late Jacob and Helen (Brubacher) Rittle.
He was a 1954 Lebanon High School graduate and obtained his associate degree from Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, now the Penn State Berks Campus. He received the Journeyman Machinist Certificate from Textile Machine Works. Jim was an assembly and prototype technician for 37 years at AMP, Inc. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was a Sunday school superintendent, church council member, and Lutheran Brotherhood member, and served on the Christian Education Committee and Luther League Youth advisors.
At age 7, Jim fell in love with trains. That year, his father took him to Reading to see the Ringling Brothers Circus unload their train and set up the tents. This is what planted the seeds for his love of both. He was a member of the Train Collectors Association, Circus Model Builders Inc., and was the Ringmaster of the Local Region. He was also a member of Circus World and the International Circus Hall of Fame.
He and Linda enjoyed a lifetime of camping, including with extended family. His patience prevailed through many, many years of teaching kids how to fish. He was an avid Disney fan and visited every continental state with his late wife.
Surviving is his children, David Rittle of Lebanon and Sue Ann Houser of Palmyra, grandchildren, Zachary Rittle and Lauren Rittle, sister, Norma Arnold and her husband Mark of Lebanon, and nieces, nephew, and their families.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 723 Lehman Street, Lebanon. Interment will be held privately at Zoar Lutheran Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 10 AM-11 AM at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to his church at the address listed above.
