Dr. Ralph Harold Lutz

Dr. Ralph Lutz, 91,  of The Villages, Florida, fell asleep in The Lord at dawn on Monday, March 23, 2026.

  The son of the late Ralph Simon Lutz and Sara (Auman) Lutz, he was born in Lebanon, PA on July 5, 1934.

  From his birth until his move to Florida in 2017, he lived in Schuylkill County in Reinerton and Muir and then West West Terrace, Branch Township.

His love for learning took  Ralph  into the field of Education. His early learning experiences were in the Palmyra and Reinerton, PA schools. He was a 1952 graduate of the Porter Township High School where he excelled in academics and sports. He always talked proudly about having been voted the “May King” and biggest heart-breaker.  Through higher education, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lebanon Valley College, Master’s Degree , Bucknell University,  Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. Temple University and Doctorate in Education, Highland University, Tennessee. Beginning as science teacher at Porter Township he was also class advisor and coach. He moved into the  Principalship and later, Superintendent at the young age of 35.  Dr. Ralph served the Porter Township Schools, the Williams Valley School District where he spearheaded the building of the new High School, Portage Area School District, Cambria County and the Saint Clair Area School District, Schuylkill County.

A hard worker, he earned his way through College at Hershey Park driving a supply truck, caddying at the  Golf Course, operating and maintaining the rides or preparing the former Ballroom for the Big Band performances.  Ralph contributed much to the Porter Township community.. He was the youngest Magistrate, Township auditor, Manager of the Fire Company social hall and assistant Fire Chief.  As a teen, he was very faithful serving as an Acolyte at St. Peter’s Church, Reinerton.  Along with his wife Barbara, they founded and operated Simply Delicious, a candy-making supply store in Pottsville, PA in the 1980’s.

He enjoyed traveling and camping  around the country towing his trailer and then driving his Winnebago Motorhome.  He was also an avid reader with a library of great books and lover of good old-fashioned country music. He also loved his pets dearly.

Survivors include: Wife of 43 years Dr. Barbara Yastishock Lutz,  Daughters Patsy Lutz Schwalm (+Ben);  Karen Lutz-Lento (Richard), and Theresa Lesky Reynolds. Grand children Amanda Schwalm Law, Sara Schwalm, Andrew Schwalm, Joshua Lento, Kyle Lento and Brynne Reynolds. Great-Grandchildren  Makenzie Law, and Eli Schwalm. Two sisters, Carol Lutz Houtz and Marilyn Lutz Zweier. Nieces and nephews in the Houtz and Zweier families and his former wife Patricia Lutz.

A man of faith, he has a reputation of caring and kindness toward others helping those in need as well as rescuing animals.  When in the Pottsville area, he was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church and involved with the Eastern Christian Formation classes, cooking at Hillcrest Hall for fundraisers and catering large events and monthly breakfasts at the church.  He also helped at the Pilgrimages at the Eparchial Grove in Canadensis, PA,  Franciscan Friary, Sybertsville, PA,  Otpust at Mount Saint Macrina, Uniontown, PA and Vidpust at the Sisters Servants, Sloatsburg, NY. He also organized and coordinated a non-denominational prayer group.  In Florida he has been affiliated with the Byzantine Catholic Community, St. Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and Saint Alban Church. 

Brother Ralph has been a 60+ years member of the Swatara Lodge No. 267 of Free and Accepted Masons,  Tremont, PA.

Viewing will take place at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home,  104 S. 4th Street Minersville on Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm as well as Monday before the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. at  Ss.. Peter and Paul Church Byzantine Catholic Church, 107 S. 4th Street, Minersville. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Donations to your choice of charity in Ralph’s memory will be greatly appreciated.  May God grant Blessed Repose to His good and faithful servant, Ralph, and may his Memory be Eternal.

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Ralph Harold Lutz, please visit our floral store.