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  • Memorial Gathering:  2-4 p.m.  Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 at the Sheridan V.F.W. Post 5065 

Mrs. Joyce Irene Ritter, 79, of Greenville passed away Wednesday evening, January 23, 2008, at her home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Michigan. The daughter of Leslie & Adeline (Steffen) brown, she was born August 14, 1928 in Greenville and was a life-long resident. Growing up in Greenville, she spent much of her time on the family farm, Browns Dairy, which was located on West Washington Street where Greenville Community Bank now stands. Her grandparents, Lester & Nellie Brown, started the dairy in the late 1920s and their property extended all the way south to Baldwin Lake, where the family also had a cottage lake side.

Spending many summers of her youth at the lake, she loved swimming and became an expert swimmer. She was planning an event on her 80th birthday this coming summer to swim across Baldwin Lake once again.

In her early teens she interrupted her education to help support the family and worked as head waitress at the Greenville restaurant, where it was said she received the first tip as a waitress in the Greenville area — a dime from a visitor from New York City. On Oct. 30, 1947 she married Donald L. Ritter of Stanton and began a new career as a devoted wife, homemaker, and mother of four children. In later years, Joyce worked at the former Gibson Refrigerator Co., where she was active in many union activities with UAW Local 137, including serving as a convention delegate for the Union at Los Angeles, Calif. in 1976.

At the age of 63 she returned to school to earn her High School Diploma and Certificate of Recognition from the State of Michigan in 1992. She loved to read and believed anyone who keeps learning stays young. She was known to say, The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lester J. Sitts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5065 in Sheridan.

She was preceded in death by a son, Edward Joe Ritter in 1984; and by her husband of almost 58 years, Donald L. Ritter in 2005. Surviving are a daughter, Linda S. & Arnold Andersen of Greenville; two sons, David C. & Elena Ritter of Greenville, and Glenn L. Ritter of Sheridan; two sisters, Darlene Laughlin and Sandy Bell, both of Greenville; two brothers, Richard Brown of Greenville, Leslie & Linda Brown of Belding; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers-in-law, Arthur Ritter of Stanton, Ellis & Lorraine Ritter of Sidney, and Gerald “Dute” & Sharon Ritter of Stanton;  and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was very interactive with all her grandchildren and was loved by all.

A time of food and fellowship will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2008 at the Sheridan V.F.W. Post.  As she wished, private family services were held at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Greenville, with cremation following.

Instead of flowers, Joyce would have appreciated contributions to either the Alzheimers Association or the Flat River Community Library. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Joyces online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please click the “Sign Guest Book” link above.


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1 Condolence

  1. Anonymous on January 23, 2008 at 12:00 am

    Guestbook

    01/27/2008 –

    Marsha (Korson) Tyler
    Linda,Dave and Glenn: Sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a great person. Your in may Prayers. She did well bringing you’s up, being great person in your own way.

    01/27/2008 –

    Shirley McCain
    My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Ritter’s family in their time of need. May the Lord give them the comfort that they need to get through this trying time.

    01/27/2008 –

    Ray and shirley(ritter) sly
    sorry to hear about her. she will be greatly missed.may god be with you. Sign Shirley Sly

    01/26/2008 –

    Charlotte & Mitch McGarry
    Dear Linda, Dave and Glenn, We are sorry for the loss of your Mom, It’s so hard to lose a parent and you have our sympathy. Joyce was my cousin and I have many fond memories of her at family reunions and other family gatherings. She was always very cheerful and encouraging to others. We will miss her but we know you will miss her much more. We will be praying for you in the days ahead. We will be in Alabama on Feb. 9 so we won’t be able to come to the service at Sheridan. Love, Mitch and Charlotte

    01/25/2008 –

    Peggy Irish-Devereaux
    To the Ritter Family: I just wanted to send my condolences to the family. I remember your mom walking by our house on clay st. She would always have a smile on her face and a gentle hello.My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    01/25/2008 –

    sharon Ritter
    Dooder and I have such fond memories of Joyce, camping together, going back and forth to our homes for coffee and chatting, being together for holidays. Joyce was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and a very special friend. (To me, Sharon, she was the closest to a a sister I ever had). Our sympathy to her children, grandchildren and sisters and brothers. Love to you, Dooder and Sharon Ritter.

    01/25/2008 –

    Penny(Ritter) Barber
    Glen,Linda,Dave and children, I have many memories of all of us getting together for the Ritter Christmases. Your Dad was Santa and with all of the Ritters getting together it was alot of fun and laughter! I also remember alot of good times at Merrill Lake. One of the things my brother Kim and I remember is coming to your house and Aunt Joyce would always have cheese slices and cold milk for us. I was so grateful to Aunt Joyce for being there for me when I hired into Gibsons and we shared lots of good times working together in Dept. 223. Mom,Dad,Jeri and I enjoyed seeing Joyce a couple weeks ago when we went to see her in Grand Rapids. We will forever enjoy the many memories.

    01/25/2008 –

    Vicky Martin
    Dear Glenn and Matt.. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you, your mom and grandmother was very special.. I will remember all the camping trips with your mom and dad.. And at holidays how joyce would make glorified rice just for mom.. stay strong, and know that she will always be with you.. It was a blessing that sara got to spend some very special time with her grandmother in December.. love to you both Vicky (aunt vicky)

    01/25/2008 –

    Brian & Bonnie Petersen
    We’ll miss you joyce. You and Don were wonderful neighbors. I still remember the cookies brought to us on the day we moved in across from you. The neighborhood will never be the same. Your ole neighbors.
    Brian & Bonnie Petersen

    01/25/2008 –

    Annette Hornsby
    My love and sympathy to all. Joyce was like a second mother to me as we all grew up together in the Veterans Housing Project. I watched my first tv show at your home! I always loved seeing your Mom & Dad when I would come home to visit. Your Dad always called me Sarge and your Mom called me Nettie. I think of Joyce often and the wonderful memories. May your memories bring you special comfort at this time. Love, Nettie

    01/24/2008 –

    Barbara Wood
    To the Ritter Family, Both your mother and father were great friends of my folks Calvin & Claribelle Green, we had alot of fun times with them. Our sincere sympathy and thoughts go out to you at this time. Claribelle Green Debrah Tubergen Barbara Wood

    01/24/2008 –

    Michelle Wise Yager
    I just wanted to leave my sympathy and condolence to Joyce’s family. What a great lady! My father was your dad’s very good friend, Bill Wise. I have so many memories of Don and Joyce as a kid!!! I still remember that light green truck your dad drove around for so many years! I remember being a little kid and going with my dad over to Don and Joyce’s when he went to help repair something or do some wiring for them.
    My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.

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