Charles Donald Ritter, 78, of Nappanee, Ind., passed away at 1:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, surrounded by his family at Elkhart Hospice House.

He was born Sept. 9, 1935, in Bremen, Ind., to Francis and Marjorie (Morcombe) Ritter. On July 2, 1960, he married Beverly Joan Ralston.

Mr. Ritter was a graduate of Bremen High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1952 – 1956. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

In his later years, he enjoyed the company of a special dog named Ryder. As a result of coming to know Jesus as his Saviour, he looked forward to Heaven.

Mr. Ritter retired in 1992 after 35 years working for the local telephone company, where he had been supervising the installation and repair of commercial phone systems. He served on the Nappanee Volunteer Fire Department for a number of years and also served with the Nappanee EMS. He attended First Church of God and Nappanee Missionary Church.

He is survived by his wife: Beverly; children: Sena (Arlan) Landey, Anderson, Ind.; Guy (Kim) Ritter, Las Vegas, Nev.; Debbie Conn, LaGrange, Ohio; Shelly (Michael) Brigham, Milford, Ind.; grandchildren: Erika (Tony) DeLaRosa; Jamison Landey, Dustin, Shannon and Cierra Ritter; Brad and Alicia Niver and Alan Harter; great-grandchildren: Landen DeLaRosa, Jace DeLaRosa; Mickey, Violet and Lily Ritter; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Donna (Bill) Graverson and JoAnn (Frank) Method.

Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at Nappanee Missionary Church. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday with Pastor Norm Reimer, Nappanee Missionary Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Bremen Cemetery, with Military Graveside services by Nappanee American Legion.

Memorial contributions may be given to Nappanee Missionary Church.