Charles A. Ritter Jr., 83, Owned Ritter Signs in Lorain

Mr. Ritter was born in Fayetteville, PA on Jan. 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 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. at Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain.

Funeral Services will be Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at 11 a.m. 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.

Online condolences at www.boyer-cool.com.