Rachel Ellen (Ashbaugh) Ritts

      Rachel Ellen Ritts of Mount Jewett, passed away Friday January 23,2026 at the Ecumenical Home of Bradford at the age of 98 years 8 months.

      Ellen was born May 17, 1927 in St. Petersburg, Clarion County. She was the daughter of Edward V. and Ethelda Neely Ashbaugh.

     After graduating from high school, she worked for Howard Pantom's Law office in Foxburg and the Sterling Oil Division of Quaker State in Emlenton where she met her future husband Joseph Alvin Ritts. They married on December 29, 1950 in the St. Peters Evangelical and Reformed Church in St. Petersburg.

     Ellen then spent the rest of her life being a devoted wife, a wonderful mother and loving grandmother.

     She is survived by a daughter, Pamela (James) Skudlarek of Salamanca, NY and a son, Joseph A. (April) Ritts Jr. of Weedsport, NY; sister-in-law, Rose Mary Ashbaugh; and grandchildren: Lisa Dognazzi, Timothy Skudlarek, Nicholas Ritts, Katherine Schafer, Stephanie Gillette, and Samuel Ritts.

   Ellen is also survived by her great grandchildren: James Jr., Colton, and Mason Dognazzi; Peyton and Jordan Ritts; Charlotte and Carter Schafer and Danny and Rachel Gillette.

     In addition to her husband of 71 years, she was predeceased by her parents and a grandson, Joshua James Skudlarek in 1987; and brothers, Vincent N. Ashbaugh and Edward Terry Ashbaugh.

     Family and friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday January 30, 2026 at the Willliam N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox.

     Funeral services will immediately follow at 1 p.m., in the funeral home, with Pastor Wendy Hazlett, pastor of the Salem United Church of Christ, officiating.

     Internment will take place in the Salem Church Cemetery.

     Online condolences may be sent to Ellen’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

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