Harvy Milton Ritter

Harvy Milton Ritter, of Neodesha, Kan., died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at the Golden Keys Nursing Home. He was 80.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., today, at the United Methodist Church, under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel. The Rev. Kris Brinlee will officiate. Interment will be at 3 p.m., today, at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, near Dederick, Mo.

Friends may call now to view and register Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m.

The son of John F. and Rebecca E. (Nall) Ritter, he was born April 23, 1928, in Nevada. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1946.

On May 27, 1950, he was united in marriage to Mildred Joan Smith in Bentonville, Ark. She survives of the home.

Mr. Ritter was a corporal with the 2nd Armored Division of the United States Army from 1952-'54.

He was employed as a maintainer and signal gange 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, Neb., and Hoisington, Kan., before moving to Neodesha.

Harvy was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the United Methodist Church, and Harmony Lodge No. 94, A.F. and A.M. He was a past leader for the local Boy Scouts Webelos 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, Johnathan, and Brooklyn Newland.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Harvy Michael Ritter; one daughter, Jacqueline Lee Ritter; and two brothers, 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.

To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.penwellgabel.com.