Reverend George E. Ritter
MARION – the Reverend George E. Ritter, 86, went to his eternal heavenly home at 12:43 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, in Heartland Regional Medical Center.
The Rev. Ritter, known to some as “Uncle Red,” was born July 21, 1923, in Johnston City, the son of George E. and Alice A. (Shelton) Ritter.
He married Reba Horton on June 23, 1946, and they have been blessed with more than 63 years of marriage.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from April 1943 to January 1949.
He began pastoring in August 1950, serving churches in southern and north Illinois, Arkansas and Alabama. He continued until ill health forced his retirement in February 1993. Following several months of convalescence, he was able to do pulpit supply in area churches. The Rev. Ritter was a member of Scottsboro Baptist Church and former owner of Ritter’s Custom Cabinets.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister in law, Audrey Ritter of Johnston City; nephew, Bruce Ritter of Johnston City and his children, Denel Morris and husband, Jeff, of Herrin and Brian Ritter and wife, Gabrielle, of St. Louis; nephew, James Ritter and his wife, Brenda, of Johnston City and their children, Jarrod Ritter and wife, Cindy, of Marion, Jeremy Ritter and wife, Wendi, of Goreville, Jennifer Pribble and husband, Richard, of Herrin and Joy Ritter of Herrin; great-great nieces and nephews, Brent, Kylie, Taylor, Zoey, Alyssa, Madison, Haley, Abigail and Kelley Jo; Reba’s cousin, Marvin B. Horton of Harrisburg, who has always been more like a brother to George and Reba and his children, Melissa Belt and husband, Brian, of Harrisburg and Brad Horton and wife, Kandie, of Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gilbert Ritter; and two infant sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ivan Ryan officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg, with military rites performed by Marion’s VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and National Guard Flag Detail Unit. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
For those who prefer, memorials may be made to Scottsboro Baptist Church Building Fund. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.
