Mr. Karl Wood Ritzler, age 62, of Ellijay, GA, passed from his life on December 24, 2010 in his home.Mr. Ritzler was born on June 6, 1948 to his late parents, John Nelson and Florence Wood Ritzler in Marion, OH. He attended Marion Harding High School, and earned his B.A and M.A in journalism from the Ohio State University. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy. Karl retired from the Atlanta Journal Constitution as an editor and writer. His journalistic career spanned several decades including time at the Marion Star, Battle Creek Enquirer and News, and Columbus Dispatch. Karl was also a teacher, and most recently taught at Dalton State College, Gilmer Center. Most importantly Karl wanted to be remembered as a husband, father, grandfather, writer, editor, teacher, and lover of language.

Memorial services will be Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Jasper, GA, with Father George Yandel officiating.

He is survived by his wife Claire Kennedy Ritzler of Ellijay, GA and his children, daughter and son-in-law, Emily Elizabeth Ritzler and Scott Shipley of Dunwoody, GA, and son Richard Karl Ritzler of Columbus OH, and son and daughter-in-law, John Franklin and Carrie Ritzler of Danielsville GA. Additional survivors include his grandchildren Sarah Jane Shipley, Nathan Shipley, Christopher Nichols, Erica Ritzler, Aaron Ritzler, Bryan Ritzler, Karl P. Ritzler, and Issac Ritzler, and sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia Ritzler and Douglas Pulick of Greenwich, CT.

Family requests donations be made in memory of Karl to Georgia Mountains Hospice, 70 Caring Way, P.O. Box 580, Jasper, GA 30143; or Episcopal Church of Holy Family, 202 Griffith Road Jasper, GA, 30143.