Bernard U. Ritzert Sr., 83, of Louisville, Ky., returned to his heavenly Father Tuesday surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Millerstown, now Chicora, March 1, 1924, he was the eldest son of Urban A. and Caroline Weiland Ritzert.

During World War II, he was an Army corporal rifleman with the 100th Infantry Division, 397th Regiment, Co. E in the liberation of Europe. He was awarded the Army Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal with two bronze battle stars and the World War II Victory Medal.

Mr. Ritzert attended the University of Pittsburgh and Rutger's University and was chief of personnel for the Veterans Administration for 35 years. His assignments included Butler, East Orange, N.J., Baltimore and Perry Point in Maryland and Iron Mountain, Mich.

He was a member of St. Martha Catholic Church of Louisville, the 100th Infantry Division Association, the VFW, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

Surviving are his children, Bernard U. Ritzert Jr. (Barbara) of Dallas, Texas, Kathy Ann Ritzert Rapp (Joe) of Louisville, and Timothy E. Ritzert (Lisa) of Hartland, Wis.; five grandchildren, Katie and Sarah Ann Rapp and Margaret May, Megan Faye and Travis Daniel Ritzert; a brother, the Rev. William J. Ritzert of Chicora; and two sisters, Nancy Schnur (Ken) and Dolores Cypher (Ed), all of Chicora.

He was preceded in death by his wife, former Butler resident, Teresa Cora Birckbichler Ritzert, whom he married April 7, 1947, and brothers, Herbert R. and Ronald Ritzert of Chicora.

<B>RITZERT</B> — Friends of Bernard U. Ritzert Sr., who died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the <B>Highland Funeral Home</B>, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, Ky. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Martha Catholic Church, 2825 Klondike Lane, Louisville. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Louisville.The 100th Infantry Division and/or VFW and American Legion will conduct full military honors.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.