Harry Ritter

Harry Edward Ritter, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, railroad conductor, Michigan traveler, and Michigan football fan died peacefully at 6:12 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital – Saint Joseph (Michigan) following an extended illness.

He was born on November 12, 1937 in Buchanan, Michigan to Harry William and Laura (Kline) Ritter, and attended Buchanan schools.  He was first employed at the former Buchanan plant of Clark Equipment Company before going to work on the railroad.  He was a Conductor on the former New York Central Railroad and its successors, the Penn Central, and Conrail, serving for forty-three years before his retirement.   He moved to Niles in 1977.

As a young man, Harry played minor league football for a team in South Bend, and served in the National Guard.   He enjoyed travelling throughout the state of Michigan, including several trips to the Upper Peninsula, and maintaining a cabin north of Cadillac.  His interest in football continued as a longtime fan of the University of Michigan Football team.  He was well remembered for his willingness to help folks whenever needed.

He was first married in 1957 to Patricia Goodwin.  He was sadly preceded in death by his children, Sean M. Ritter who died on October 16, 2003, Kim Michelle Anderson on May 14, 2021, and Todd Lee Ritter on June 22, 2022; and by a sister, Sharon Walters and her husband, Scott.

In 1987 he married Grace Geneva (Guthrie) Morrison with whom he celebrated last year the thirty-seventh anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Grace Ritter; his daughter-in-law, Carol (Mrs. Todd) Ritter of Buchanan; grandchildren, Sarah (& Mark) Bush, Rebecca (& Brandon) Spicer, and Mariah; great-grandchildren Marek Bush and Lukasz Bush; Grace’s children, John R. Morrison of Niles and Patricia A. Padilla of Niles; and Harry’s siblings, Jerry (& Ruthann) Ritter of North Carolina, and Pat Morris of Wisconsin, and several nieces and nephews.

The Memorial Service for Harry Ritter will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.  The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will be private, at a later date, at Mission Hills.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Eighty-six years is a long life, and Harry used those years well, serving on the railroad for exactly half of his years, serving in the military, and as a (semi) professional athlete.  More important was the years helping folks, providing food, shelter, and clothing for his family, and loving that family.