Harvey Ritter

Harvey Milton Ritter of Neodesha, Kansas, died Monday, January 12, 2009, at the Golden Keys Nursing Home. He was 80. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2009, at the United Methodist Church under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel. The Reverend Kris Brinlee will officiate. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. Thursday in Mt. Vernon Cemetery near Dedrick, MO. Friends may call to view and register Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. The son of John F. and Rebecca E. Nall Ritter, he was born April 23, 1928, in Nevada, MO. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1946. On May 27, 1950 he was united in marriage to Mildred Joan Smith in Bentonville, AR. She survives at the home. Mr. Ritter was a corporal with the 2nd Armored Division of the US Army from 1952-54. He was employed as a maintainer and signal gang foreman for the Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads for 38 years before retiring. During that time, he and his wife resided in Nevada, Wichita, Plattsmouth, NE, and Hoisington, KS, before moving to Neodesha. Harvey was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the United Methodist Church, and Harmony Lodge 94 A.F.amp; A.M. He was a past leader for the local Boy Scout Webeloes and a former woodworking project leader for the Lucky Horseshoe 4-H Club. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Dana Susan Newland of Neodesha; four grandchildren, Justin, Wade, Tyler and Jacqueline Newland, and three great-grandchildren, Hannah, Jonathan and Brooklyn Newland. He is preceded in death by his parent; one son, Harvey Michael Ritter; one daughter, Jacqueline Lee Ritter; and two brother, John F. Ritter Jr. and Donald E. Ritter. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church and may be left at the funeral home.