Parkland Mourns Devoted Teacher John R. Ritter, Viewing Friday

Devoted Parkland teacher John R. Ritter, 62, of Neffs died Tuesday.

His obituary is here.

Friends and family may visit 6-9 p.m. Friday and  9-10 a.m. Saturday In Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 Highland St., Allentown, according to the obituary. The service will follow Saturday’s calling hour. Interment will take place at St. Paul’s Church Cemetery, Trexlertown.  

Patch wrote about Ritter's battle with a rare blood cancer in May 2012.

The story included Ritter's poignant writings: “Faced with mortality, my bucket list is pretty mundane. In the immediate future I hope to enjoy another sunset, moonlit night, and sunrise. I hope to have another day to hold hands with my wife and cuddle in bed. Our bluebirds have returned to their nesting box; I hope to see them raise a successful clutch. I hope to be well enough to pick raspberries and huckleberries this summer. I hope to enjoy another summer, fall, winter and, even, spring.”

The Parkland community reached out with a bone marrow drive, at which more than 200 people had registered.