George Richard "Bud" Hritz

George Richard “Bud” Hritz, 95, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024.  He was born October 8, 1928 in Lancaster, Ohio.  Bud graduated from Lancaster High School in 1947, where he played basketball and met his future wife, Ginnie, to whom he was married for 67 years.  Bud had a 44-year career with South Central Power Company.  He began on a tree crew in the summer of 1943, when he was only 14 years old.  After high school, he went to work full-time as a lineman.  He interrupted his South Central days to serve in the U.S. Air Force, where he spent a year in Japan during the Korean War.  He returned to Lancaster after his service and began working again with South Central Power.  He worked through the ranks in the company and was transferred to Circleville in 1963 as district manager until his retirement in 1991.  He favorite activity was golf!  He played every chance he got and was quite accomplished.  Bud won several championships in both Fairfield and Pickaway counties.  He could ‘shoot his age’ well into his 80s, and played 18 holes on his 90th birthday.  Bud was a 50+ year member of the BPOE Elks Club, a charter member of the Circle Sertoma Club, and a member of The Community United Methodist Church.  George was proceeded in death by his parents, wife, Virginia “Ginnie” Hritz, and sister Sue Crook.  Bud is survived by his loving family, daughter Leigh (Dave) Webb of Circleville, and son, Michael of Orlando, Florida.  Also surviving are grandsons Ian (Hillary) Webb of Ashville, Ohio, Nick (Kirsta Kellin) Webb of Chicago, IL, Matt (Annie) Helsel, of Gary, IN and great grandchildren Oliver and Delilah.  Bud is also survived by brother-in-law Bob Jessup of Lancaster, OH, nieces Anna Crook, Sara Johns, and Molly Crook, great nephew Daniel (Kelly) Johns and family and great niece Emmaline Crook.  Cremation has taken place, and at Bud’s request no services will be held.  The committal of ashes at Forest Cemetery in Circleville will be at a later date.  A special thank you goes to the wonderful staff of the Wyngate of Circleville and to Jeanette Branham and staff of Heartland Hospice.  Their care and kindness will not be forgotten.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson Fund through the Pickaway County Community Foundation at www.yourpccf.org or Three Pits and A Lady at www.threepitsandalady.com. (Emergency pet care)  Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.