Vern Elmer Rittenhouse, 90 of Urbana died at 3:18 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2008 at Asta Care Nursing Home, Paxton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2008 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana. The Rev. Sally Swaim will officiate. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at the funeral home.

Mr. Rittenhouse was born on November 28, 1917 in Mahomet, the son of Vern Rush and Ruth Miner Rittenhouse. He married Avanelle Ray on August 30, 1935 in St. Joseph, Illinois; she died September 26, 1993.

Survivors include three daughters; Sharon Hieser of Savoy, Sandra Cerne of Land O Lakes, Wisconsin and Mary Jarboe of Paxton, three brothers; Glen Rittenhouse and Wayne Rittenhouse both of Champaign and Warren Rittenhouse of Urbana, eighteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by one son, one brother, one great grandson and one sister.

Mr. Rittenhouse was a small animal caretaker at the University of Illinois and a retired farmer.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Mahomet, a former 4 H leader. He enjoyed fishing and reading and he used to show and raise Shropshire sheep. Mr. Rittenhouse was interested in history and the civil war.

Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor's choice or Asta Care Nursing Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.