By Howard Packowitz
A two year old Bloomington boy is being remembered as a bright, loving child. His infant brother, born on September 11th, is described as a happy, loving baby in an obituary released by a local funeral home.
Authorities believe 33-year old Eric Ringenberg strangled his sons before setting fire to the house and hanging himself at the family’s home at 14 Brittany Court, on Bloomington’s northeast side, before dawn Tuesday morning.
An obituary released Friday afternoon by Carmody Flynn Funeral Home said one of the family dogs, Pugsley, was also killed.
Ringenberg’s wife and the boys’ mother, Pamela, suffered smoke inhalation. She was treated at a local hospital.
The obituary said the funeral for the boys and their father will be private and only for family members. Visitation will be Monday from three until six p.m. at Carmody-Flynn.
Two-year old Colin Parker Ringenberg was described in the obituary as a bright, loving child who loved Thomas the Train and Paw Patrol. His favorite thing to do was visiting fire trucks and fire stations. Colin’s baby brother was named Russell Thomas Ringenberg.
The obituary said Eric Ringenberg worked for 15 years at Bloomington’s State Farm Insurance. He graduated from Princeton High School in 2002, attended Heartland Community College, and graduated from Lincoln College in Normal with a Bachelor of Arts in business.
The obituary said Eric Ringenberg was a loving husband and devoted father.
A Colin and Russell Ringenberg Memorial Fund has been established at Soy Capital Bank at 2306 East Washington Street in Bloomington.
Howard Packowiz can be reached for comment at howard.packowitz@cumulus.com.