Jerry Rithamel

Jerry Alvin Rithamel, 82, of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, went peacefully to be with the Lord on December 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 15, 1943, in Elmhurst, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Rithamel and Alvin Rithamel; his beloved daughter, Cathryn Rithamel; and his nephew, Carl Oehler. He is survived by his cherished wife of sixty-one years: Patricia Rithamel; his sons and their spouses: Michael and Debra Rithamel, Alan and Valerie Rithamel; his grandchildren and their spouses: Derek Rithamel, Ryan Rithamel, Brandon and Heather Rithamel, Justin Rithamel, and Dylan Rithamel; his great-grandsons: Hunter Rithamel and Cooper Rithamel; his siblings and their spouses: Tom and Sue Rithamel, Dorlene and Guy Oehler, Debbie and Mike Meier. In Jerry's youth, he enjoyed working on and racing stock cars. He went to work alongside his father in the family business at Mercy Ambulance Services in the Chicago area. He then spent the early days of his construction career working as a carpenter in Chicago. He always took great pride in and talked often about his time working to construct the Sears Tower and many other iconic buildings of the Chicago skyline. He owned and operated his own business, Jerry Rithamel Construction and Plumbing, where he served many customers and friends in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. When he wasn't working, he dedicated his time to his family and the outdoors. He made sure to attend all of his children's sporting events and was so proud, cheering his daughter on when they took the state title in Softball. He spent many days around the manmade pond he constructed on his family's shared property, fishing with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting and took several trips with his sons to Canada and Northern Wisconsin to take in the outdoors. In his retirement, he and his beloved wife relocated to Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, where they built their home on Lake Norman so that he could continue his legacy of sharing nature with his family, teaching his grandsons to water ski, fishing alongside them on the pier he built, and enjoying scenic boat rides in a warmer climate. Jerry was a magnetic man that lived a large life full of love and adventure. He took great pride in everything he did, from work, to family, his long marriage, and even the meticulous maintenance of his home. He often told stories that would have his entire family hanging on to every word and bursting with laughter. He shared a genuine smile with everyone he met and showed up for people in meaningful ways-often attending his great-grandson's sporting and school events, even when his health made it difficult. He was a deeply caring man that was adored by many, and his memory will be eternally cherished by all of us that were lucky enough to know him. Services to honor Jerry's remarkable life will be held both in North Carolina and Wisconsin: The family will receive friends in North Carolina on Sunday, January 4th, from 1 pm to 4 pm at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 E. Plaza Dr., Mooresville, North Carolina. The family will then receive friends in Wisconsin on Friday, January 9th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm at Haase-Lockwood Funeral Home, 620 Legion Dr. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, with a brief eulogy to follow. Burial will be immediately after at Wilmot Cemetery. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville is proudly serving the Rithamel family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Tributes

Jerry Rithamel

January 1, 2026