Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Philip R. Rittner II
Pastor Phil was baptized January 8, 1956. He is the son of the late Philip and Eleanor Rittner. He grew up in a military family, returning to Toledo, Ohio after his father's discharge from the U.S. Navy. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for sixteen years on active duty and four years in the inactive reserves. He completed two tours in Viet Nam and was deployed during Desert Shield. After his retirement from the Navy in Jacksonville, Florida, and with backgrounds in law enforcement, welding, painting, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and heavy equipment operation, he worked as a professional handyman, security officer and the maintenance superintendent for a gated community in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Feeling that there was more for him to do, he enrolled and completed his seminary study at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, where he graduated on November 11, 2011 and was ordained and installed as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church November 27, 2011.
On August 26, 2000, Pastor Phil married Katherine (Katie) Blomquist. They have seven children, one angel granddaughter, nine grandsons, and five granddaughters (fifteen in all!). Both Pastor Phil and Katie enjoy camping, boating, photography, cooking, music, travel and spending time with family. Pastor Phil has been involved with the Military Project at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne Right to Life, and jail ministry conducting one-on-one counseling, Bible studies and worship services for inmates in the Stueben County and Whitley County Jails.
Email Pastor Phil
Pastor Phil was baptized January 8, 1956. He is the son of the late Philip and Eleanor Rittner. He grew up in a military family, returning to Toledo, Ohio after his father's discharge from the U.S. Navy. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for sixteen years on active duty and four years in the inactive reserves. He completed two tours in Viet Nam and was deployed during Desert Shield. After his retirement from the Navy in Jacksonville, Florida, and with backgrounds in law enforcement, welding, painting, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and heavy equipment operation, he worked as a professional handyman, security officer and the maintenance superintendent for a gated community in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Feeling that there was more for him to do, he enrolled and completed his seminary study at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, where he graduated on November 11, 2011 and was ordained and installed as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church November 27, 2011.
On August 26, 2000, Pastor Phil married Katherine (Katie) Blomquist. They have seven children, one angel granddaughter, nine grandsons, and five granddaughters (fifteen in all!). Both Pastor Phil and Katie enjoy camping, boating, photography, cooking, music, travel and spending time with family. Pastor Phil has been involved with the Military Project at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne Right to Life, and jail ministry conducting one-on-one counseling, Bible studies and worship services for inmates in the Stueben County and Whitley County Jails.
Email Pastor Phil