Joseph M. Rittenhouse, 77. of Belleville, IL began his extraordinary journey began on December 17, 1930 in East St. Louis, IL and passed away on Monday August 18, 2008 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL

Joe enjoyed life immensely and especially treasured time with his family. After attending St. Philips Catholic grade school in East St. Louis he attended Central Catholic High School where he earned the nickname "Dirty Joe" for his stellar efforts on the gridiron. After graduating from Central in 1948, he courted and married Mitzi Mongan on August 4th, 1951. Joe then served in the United States Air Force for two years. He and Mitzi began their family while in the service, having the first of their ten children at that time. Joe then proudly served his community, East St. Louis, as a police officer for 13 years. His stories of his time on the force are legendary and most memorable. Joe moved on to McDonnell Douglas in 1967 where he worked until he retired in 1995. Mitzi passed away in 1980. Joe was blessed twice more with two terrific wives. He married Geraldine Jordan in 1982. Geraldine passed in 1999. He then married Patricia Simm (nee Throop) in 2006. Joe's passion for life was reflected in everything he did. He had a unique ability to make everyone around him feel as if they were the most important person in his life. He enjoyed taking the "girls" to dinner or theatre as much as he liked sports with the boys.

He is preceded in death by:

• His father Ralph
• Mother Mollie,
• Wife Mitzi (October 9, 1980)
• Wife Geraldine (October 29, 1999).