Gerald Paul Ritenour was born in the Sandhills of Nebraska in May 1939 along with his twin brother, Darrell, to Paul and Evelyn Ritenour.
Gerald spent his growing up years in those beloved Sandhills, swimming in the Middle Loup River, hunting and fishing with his dad and brother, playing cards with his neighbors, and pitching for the town baseball team. Gerald graduated from Thedford (Nebraska) High School. After high school, he spent time working as a ranch hand and then building bridges for the Burlington Northern Railroad.
He married the girl practically next door, Rosalee Pearman, in November 1962.
Gerald was drafted into the Army and after two years of service, he returned home to the Sandhills. He and Rosalee then moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where Gerald worked in a meat-packing plant to support his growing family. First came his son Shawn, and then his daughter Nova followed four years later.
When the packing plant closed in Grand Island, the family transferred to Glenwood, Iowa, where Gerald and Rosalee would eventually open their own business, Gerald’s Bar-B-Q, which they operated for more than two decades.
Gerald and Rosalee continued to visit friends and family back in Grand Island and the Sandhills. They also took regular trips to Moorefield, Nebraska, to visit and hunt with Harley and Kathy Hansen. But Glenwood became home. They developed many friends through work and their local church, Glenwood Community Church. After Gerald and Rosalee retired, Gerald kept busy participating in church activities; meeting with his brother and sister-inlaw, Darrell and Mary Ritenour; cutting wood with friend Chip Adams; keeping in touch with relatives through yearly family reunions; visiting western Pennsylvania to see his children and grandchildren; and daily trips to McDonald’s for coffee with the guys.
In May 2020, Gerald and Rosalee moved cross country to Pennsylvania. It was tough for them leaving behind their church, their friends and their family, however, they decided it was time to be closer to their children, granddaughters and granddog.
They immediately became involved in their granddaughters’ activities and enjoyed attending their volleyball games, choir concerts and plays.
Gerald and Rosalee also enjoyed playing cards with friends and family as well as babysitting their granddog Christmas.
Avid Nebraska Cornhusker fans, their home was a hub for family to watch Husker volleyball, football and baseball games.
Shortly after Gerald moved to Grove City, Pennsylvania, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Gerald survived this battle, but in December 2023 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite a valiant fight, on Nov. 22, 2025, Gerald Paul Ritenour was called home to live painfree with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Gerald was preceded in death by his mother and father, niece Tracey Ritenour, nephew Corey Pearman, and pet dogs Bill and Misty.
Gerald is survived by his wife Rosalee, son Shawn (Michelle) Ritenour, daughter Nova Ritenour, granddaughter Helena (Jason) Twum, granddaughter Cecily Ritenour, granddog Christmas Ritenour, brother Darrell (Mary) Ritenour, nieces, nephew, cousins and in-laws.
Memorials may be sent to the family. They will be gifted to a variety of caregivers who helped Gerald during his illness.
A memorial service was held Nov. 29, 2025, at John Flynn Funeral Home Inc. in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, in the funeral home chapel.