Provo husband dies of COVID-19 days after learning his wife is expecting first child

PROVO, Utah (KUTV) –

A 28-year-old Utah County man was one of dozen who died in Utah this week after battling COVID-19.

A GoFundMe page set up by family and friends is hoping to raise funds to help cover funeral expenses for Marcus Rittmanic and to help his wife Ashlyn, who is expecting the couple’s first child. So far, more than 13 thousand dollars have been raised.

“We wanted to set up this GoFundMe page to help Ashlyn with the funeral and living expenses because she’s going to be a single mom in a few months and the burden she has to bear is great,” the post reads.

Marcus Rittmanic graduated from Timpview High School in 2011 and graduated from UVU with a degree in finance from an obituary written by his family.

In 2017 he married Ashlyn Mills Rittmanic, a young woman who is now preparing to raise their first child, a son of their own. The baby is expected in April 2022.

“Without a doubt, Marcus would have been a legendary father, but for the remainder of this mortal existence he will serve as a legendary guardian angel,” the post reads.

The funeral will be held in Provo, Utah on Saturday, October 30th.

Utah Department of Health officials have reported the deaths of 26 young adults, ages 19-29, from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.