Charles A. Ritter Jr.

     Charles A. "Pud" Ritter, Jr, 83 of Lorain passed away on Monday, October 26, 2009 at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland following a brief illness.

     Mr. Ritter was born in Fayetteville, PA on January 1, 1926, the son of the late Charles A. and Grace N. (nee Miner) Ritter.

     He was a graduate of Grandville High School in Grandville, Class of 1943. He attended Dennison University as a Phi Gamma Delta and then graduated from Gettysburg College in 1951, with a bachelor of fine arts degree.

     Mr. Ritter served in the U.S. Navy as a Fireman First Class in WW II.

     He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Lorain.

     Mr. Ritter owned and operated Ritter Signs in Lorain since 1960. He also taught night school (adult art classes) at the former Lorain High School for many years. He was a member of IBEW Local 129 for 55 years, Sign Painters Local 770 (formerly Local 240) for 49 years, Amvets Post 49 and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club.

     He enjoyed hunting, golfing, gardening and was a Cleveland sports enthusiast.

     Mr. Ritter is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris M. (nee Kline) Ritter, daughters Catherine A. "Katie"  (Mark) Craddock of Memphis, TN, Carrie A. Lopez of Lorain, Susan G. (Richard) Eustace of Collins, Doris M. (John) Ivan of Clayton, NC, sons Charles A. (Bernadine) Ritter, III of Las Vegas, NV, Karl S. (Patricia) Ritter of Amherst, 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceeded in death by an infant daughter Hillery M. Ritter in 1951.

     Friends may call on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain.

     Funeral Services will be Friday, October 30, 2009 at 11:00 am in the Grace Baptist Church, 719 Root Road, Lorain with Rev. Jay Roller, pastor, officiating.

     Burial will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Amherst Township.

CONDOLENCES

From:       Marcia McCrann
Relation:    Friend

Chuck was by far one of the nicest, soft spoken and friendliest guy I had the pleasure of knowing. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. He has a wonderful family and I want them to know that I am sending my deepest sympathies. Thinking of you Doris, Carrie and Karl.

From:       Jacki Pamer
Relation:    Friend

Sending the entire Ritter family my prayers.
sending everyone a big hug.
Carries friend:  Jacki Palmer

From:       Tonya Hughes Coggins
Relation:    Friend

  My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Ritter Family.  I have known  the Ritter's for as long I can remember.  Mr. and Mrs. Ritter lives on the wonderful street that I grew up on.  All memories I have of both, (Mr. and Mrs. Ritter) Doris and Pug, are the most warm hearted of people.  I am so thankful I stopped to see both of you when I was in Ohio.  I have such wonderful memories.  Mr. Ritter was a soft spoken man, with such kind eyes and spirit. 
  Mrs. Ritter, I just want you to know I love you and I keep you close in my thoughts during this sorrowful time.  Too Charles, Katie, Carrie, Sue, Karl, Dorie, I send you my deepest sympathy.  I wish I lived closer to be there in person. 
  I love you all..........Tonya Coggins (Hughes)



From:        Deenie Ritter
Relation:  

Dear Ritter Family,

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you over the loss of Pud.  I know he is in a better place now and all of his suffering is over.

I am sorry I was not able to attend the funeral but my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Although it's difficult to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

All My Love

Deenie

From:       Ralph McBride
Relation:    Friend

My heartfelt condolences to the entire Ritter family.

Charlie was a second Dad to me.

Please be confident that Charlie is sitting down right now on a creeky old stool, a No. 12 grey quill in one hand, a mahl stick in the other, painting a sign for the Lord that says, "Welcome to Heaven"!    
 

From:       Loni Hughes Gore
Relation:    Friend

I was deeply saddened to hear the news of your loss. But instantly my mind was flooded with fond memories of all the time I spent in the Ritter home growing up. My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I wish I could be there.  Love to all.

Loni Hughes
 

From:       Jim Weber
Relation:    Friend

I had the pleasure of working with Chuck and the Ritter Sign Company for years as the Marketing Director of Lorain National Bank. I never met a more gracious, patient and helpful man. Chuck always took care of our needs and met "impossible" deadlines whenever we needed something quickly. I considered him a friend and my condolences go out to his family. He will be missed.
 

From:        The Knittle Family
Relation:   

Our deepest sympathies to Sue Eustace and Doris Ritter for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Love to all of you!
Greg, Kellie, Allen & Amber Knittle,
Kellie is sister to Kimberly Eustace.

From:       VIP Management
Relation:    Friend

Our condoleences to the Ritter family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
 

From:       Joe Skodny family
Relation:    Friend

Dear Carl and Ritter family;

We are so very sorry for your loss.  We are praying for you and Chuck and we know he is in God's Great care.
With sincere condolences

Joe and Shelly Skodny


 

From:       McNulty Family
Relation:    Friend
 

So sorry to hear about Pud. We could not make the visitations or funeral.  My dad Bob McNulty is not doing well at this time, and my mom couldn't leave him to attend. I  am in Florida right now, so I could not get her there and she feels terrible.
Pud was a great friend, and neighbor, we will miss him very much. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.