Ritter, Joseph Patrick, Sr., Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Tuesday, August 23, 2016.
Joseph was born March 14, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the youngest of five children (Eileen, James, Thomas, and Patricia) born to William and Mary Ritter. He took on his first job at the age of about 9, when he became a paper boy. He was also a delivery boy for the trains at Union Station, and later spent 40 years working as a clerk for the Norfolk Southern Railroad.
He served in the United States Naval Air during the Korean War era. He enjoyed working on the new aircraft ejection seats, and was lucky to spend two of those years in Hawaii.
His interests included fishing, sailing, driving, eating out, reading National Geographic magazines, volunteering at Jefferson Barracks Park, and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed his retirement spending the winter months with his wife in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Joseph Ritter is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol, and his three children, Joseph P. Ritter, Jr. (Christina), Lynda Ritter and Sheryl (Troy) Exler, and one grandchild, Danielle Exler.
Services: Funeral from KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Monday, August 29, 9:30 a.m. to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church (610 West Ripa Ave.) for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Rd., at 11:15. Contributions in memory of Joe may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association of St. Louis. Visitation Sunday, 4-8 p.m.