Paul Edward Ritter

Paul Edward Ritter, 77, of Jonesboro, Ark., died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center. Born July 28, 1934 in Jonesboro, he was the son of the late Henry and Sophia Rueswald Ritter and had been a long-time area resident. Mr. Ritter had been a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church since he was a child where he taught Sunday school, was a communion minister and an usher. He worked on John Deere tractors since 1954 and enjoyed collecting John Deere memorabilia. Mr. Ritter was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and spending time at the lake.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mrs. Linda Ritter of Jonesboro, Ark.; one son, Tim Ritter of Jonesboro; one daughter, Stacey Stevens of Jonesboro; two brothers, Raymond Ritter and wife Mary and Charles Ritter, all of Jonesboro; two sisters, Bernice Elias of Little Rock, Ark., and Theresa Schneider and husband Lawrence of Jonesboro. Mr. Ritter also leaves three grandchildren, Matthew, Jaclyn and Jacob, and a host of other family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry Ritter, Jr. and Donald Ritter.

Funeral services were 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro, with Father Jack Vu officiating. The family requested a private burial under the direction of Faith Funeral Service of Manila, Ark.

The family received visitors after the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Children's Home in Paragould, Ark.