Dale Louis Ritter Sr.'s Obituary
Dale L. Ritter, 86, of Columbia, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in his home, February 28th, in DeBary, Florida
He was born October 19th, 1936, at home, in Columbia, IL. He was the son of Louis Ritter and Cora (Kremmel) Ritter.
Dale is survived by his wife, La Verne (Osick) Ritter, son Dale Ritter Jr., daughters Beverly Pettit and Karen Ritter and sons, Thomas and Christopher Ritter. He also has 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Louis G. Ritter, mother, Cora (Kremmel) Ritter, brothers and sisters, Harold Ritter, Wayne Ritter, Bernice Lepp, Bernell Mueller, Ruby Asselmeier, and Marlyn Stemler, son-in-law Stephen Pettit and daughter-in-law, Marian Ritter.
Dale was member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Columbia, IL. He enjoyed working for International Paper Company for 45 years as a packaging engineer. He was a great problem solver. He loved spending time with his family, friends, working in the yard, woodworking, and creating many functional gadgets.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm, at Leesman Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, and Thursday, March 9, 2023, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbia, IL. Funeral services will be held following visitation at 11:00 am, Thursday March 9, 2023 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with Pastor Stephen Krenz officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Columbia, IL. There will be a luncheon in the lower level of St. Paul Lutheran Church following the interment services.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 227 Goodhaven, Columbia, IL 62236.
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