Kenneth Lee Ritchotte

Kenneth Lee Ritchotte, 70, of Shickshinny, passed away early Saturday morning, September 13, 2025, at his residence following injuries he sustained in a house fire.

Born in Riverside, CA, May 8, 1955, he was the son of the late Kenneth Leo Richotte and the late Barbara May (LoMascolo) Reidt and her late husband Dean and spent the past 20 years living in Shickshinny, after moving from Drums.

Ken was a graduate of La Sierra High School class of 1972. He was a truck driver for many local transportation companies including Bolus Freight Systems, J.B. Hunt, M.S. Carriers, and most recently NFI Industries in Pittston. He was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War having served on the USS Enterprise from 1973 to 1976. He was a member of the Protestant Faith and the American Legion Post #495, Shickshinny. Ken was very active in his local community, attending many borough council meetings and contributing to changes that he believed would keep the community safer. He and his wife could often be spotted at the Main Street Bar and Grill in Mocanaqua. Forever the animal lover, Ken was active in various animal rescue efforts, including Greyhound rescue and catch and release programs. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting but had recently traded hunting rifles for target shooting. He loved capturing the beauty he saw in this life through the lens of a camera, through a sketch pad and pencils, or via pen and paper, and his artwork was displayed at many local institutions, as well as in the homes of his family and friends. Most of all, Ken loved having a good time with his friends, family and loved ones.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents and stepfather, by his brother, Gary.

Surviving are his beloved and devoted wife, the former Bette Mae Wolfe, to whom he was married on March 12, 2005 in Drums; five children, Jason Ritchotte, Hampden, MA; Jessica Matthews and husband Nate, Monson, MA; Jason Guydish and wife Casey, Mount Joy; Erin Buchholz and husband Zackery, Birmingham; and Brittany Guydish and fiancé Ben Rice, Falls; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild on the way; a brother, Randy Ritchotte, Corona, CA; many nieces and nephews including Paul Ritchotte and wife Shantel, MA; and an uncle, Donald LoMascolo and wife Mary, East Long Meadow, MA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 29th at noon to 2:30 at the Susquehanna Riverlands Park, off Route 11 across from Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, 634 Salem Blvd, Berwick, Pa 18603. Colorful, casual attire is encouraged. Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Dr., Drums assisted the family with the arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends with PAWS pet rescue https://friendswithpaws.org/ or the NEPA pet fund and rescue https://nepapetrescue.com/, or to any rescue of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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