Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Michael Thomas Ritthaler was born in Anaconda, Mont., on March 5, 1977, to Mike and Sally Ritthaler. Mickey moved to Waldport, Ore., in 1988 and graduated from Waldport High School in 1995. He was a member of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and worked for Hire Electric, Inc. in The Dalles, Ore., as a journeyman electrician from 2008 to 2018. Most recently, Mickey was employed by Coburn Electric in Hood River, Ore., before returning to Bend, Ore., a place where he truly loved being.
He loved fishing, golf, concerts, and hanging out with his friends. Mickey was everybody’s best friend and a favorite uncle, cousin and nephew. His smile, sense of humor, and kindness will be missed by his family and multitude of friends.
He leaves behind parents, Michael and Sally Ritthaler; sister Sally “Sam” Galle; brother Mark (wife Jen) Guindon, and their children Shelly, Cydney, and Austin; niece Geri (husband Kyle) Staley and their children Maverick, Annabelle and Layne; niece Jamie (husband Cody) Hanson, and their children Mylee and Liam; Kayla (husband Waren) Kinoff, and their children Sebastian and Hadley; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A celebration of life for Mickey will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 11 to 1 p.m. at Goob and Shawnna Smallwood’s property on E. Thissell Rd in Tidewater, Ore., approximately 17 miles East of Waldport, Ore.
A celebration of life for Mickey will also be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Dalles Country Club, 4550 Highway 30W, The Dalles, Ore., 97058.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Juvenile Diabetes Association at www.jdrf.org or 1-800-533-2873.