Kenneth William Ritter, age 80 of rural Steffenville, MO, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013, at his home. He was born August 27, 1932, at Shelbyville, MO, the son of William Frederick and Juanita Beatrice Steffen Ritter.
He was united in marriage to Bertha Laquita Glenn at Steffenville, MO on July 27, 1954; she preceded him in death on December 30, 2011.
Kenneth was also preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law Donnie Bowen.
Surviving are three daughters, Yvonne L. Stone and husband David of Steffenville, MO, Beverly L. Bowen of Steffenville, MO, and Peggy Jo Ritter and friend Cindy Disseler of Quincy, IL, one sister Janice Carter and husband Tom of Maywood, MO, grandchildren, Jason and Amanda Stone of Steffenville, MO, Jesse William and Lyann Ritter of Cairo, MO, great grandchildren Tanner Stone, Tucker Stone, Marilyn Rae Ritter, Natalie Rose Ritter, Gwenna Sky Ritter, step great grandchildren Luke Allen and Lane Allen, niece Jana and Joe Hattey of Maywood, MO, and several cousins Elizabeth Ritter, Ronnie and Linda Steffen, Monroe Steffen, Sherry Lay and Randy Ritter.
Kenneth graduated from LaBelle High School in 1951. He was a mechanic and machinist and owned his own repair and machine shop for forty-eight years. He also worked for eleven years at Wrights automotive as a machinist. Kenneth was a member of I.O.O.F. Lodge at Steffenville, the Steffenville Volunteer Fire Department for sixteen years, the antique Car Club and the First Baptist Church of Ewing, MO. He enjoyed Antique Car trips and spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at the Coder Funeral Home in LaBelle, MO. Reverend Ted Middleton will officiate the services. Burial will be in the Steffenville Cemetery. Musical selections will be "This World Is Not My Home", "Because He Lives" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee".
Casket bearers will be Keith Whitlatch, Kent Whitlatch, Mark Gross, Sam Knoche, Bill Knoche, and Kevin McCracken.
Honorary bearers will be Glenn Scoggin and Larry McCracken.
Visitation will be after 4 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013, with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, MO.
Memorials in memory of Kenneth L. Ritter may be made to the Steffenville Cemetery or the Steffenville Volunteer Fire Department and may be mailed to or left at Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO, 63447.