Vivian Janet (Hensel) Ritter

Vivian Janet (Hensel) Ritter

Had a Servant’s Heart -

Vivian Janet (Hensel) Ritter, age 94, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022.  Vivian was born on Sunday, March 18, 1928, in Mechanicsburg to the late Charles Lester Hensel and Iola Blanche (Fetrow) Hensel.  Vivian was the widow of Charles “Charlie” David Ritter, whom she married on November 10, 1946 and who died on December 26, 1999.  In addition to her parents and husband, Vivian is preceded in death by her two brothers: Wayne Lester Hensel and Marlin Richard Hensel; her sister, Winifred Westhafer; and her brother in law, Merle Westhafer.

Vivian’s survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Janet Irvin and her husband, Charles, of Mechanicsburg; her two sons: Dennis Eugene Ritter of Mechanicsburg and Rodney Charles Ritter of Mechanicsburg; her five grandchildren: Jeanne Ritter; Andy Ritter and his wife, Kathy; Douglas Irvin; Denise Hirn and her husband, William; David Irvin and his wife, Shannon; her seven great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Flores, Emily Flores, Andrew Flores, Quinn Hirn, Brett Hirn, Ericka Kauffman and Addison Ritter; her great-great granddaughter, Aveah Ness; her brother, Loraine “Bud” Hensel; her two sister in-laws: Susan Hensel and Illa Hensel; and several nieces and nephews.

Vivian retired from Service America, after many years of service working in the cafeteria at Kinney Shoes.  She was a lifelong member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, where she taught Sunday school, played piano and was a member of the Helping Hands group; she was also a member of the Silver Spring Farming Women Club.  All of her life, Vivian had a servant’s heart; she made it a point to serve others.  She attended all of our grandchildren’s activities and was always thinking about her family.  Vivian loved to decorate her home for every season and holiday, and would dress up for Halloween every year.  As a teenager, Vivian played guitar in a Hawaiian musical group.  She enjoyed Sunday rides for ice cream after church, was an avid fan of both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles, and loved going to Cumberland Valley High School football games, where she watched and cheered on the team.  Vivian will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

All are welcome to join Vivian’s family at viewing on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a service beginning at 11:15 a.m., all at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 West Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Marleen Elaine Griffith-Stull and Reverend David Irvin officiating.  Burial will follow the service in Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill.  Vivian’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of Vivian’s life can be made to St. Mark Evangelical Church, 117 West Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Vivian’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Vivian’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.