Virginia Ritter
Jerseyville | Save
Virginia Rose Ritter, 86, died at 8:20 p.m., Friday, November 24, 2017 at the Jerseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Virginia Rose, or Ginny, as she known to family and friends, was born in Hardin, Il. on March 2, 1931, one of three children born to Ernest and Rose M. (Schleeper) Thompson.
Her family moved to the Rosedale area where she attended the one room Teneriffe Grade School, continuing on to be a member of the 1948 graduating class from Hardin High School.
She then moved into Jerseyville, where she began working at the International Shoe Factory. She then married John Barry Ritter on April 24, 1950 at the St. Norbert's Catholic Church in Hardin, and the two soon began their family, consisting of nine children. She was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker, but still managed to find time to enjoy dancing at Busch's and the Elk's Lodge, participating on the Busch's Farm softball and bowling teams and being a part of the Ladies Card Club.
She and Barry were avid travelers, visiting nearly every country in Europe. Her most cherished travels were to Europe with her in-laws and to Branson, Mo, with her sister, Helen. In her later years, she took language and arts classes and became quite computer savvy. She loved playing cards with "the girls" and playing dominoes with close friends. Ginny was a devout member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, and served on numerous committees, including the Altar Society and always found time to volunteer at the Jersey Community Hospital Resale Shop.
In 1980, she became co-owner and co-manager of the 518 South Restaurant in Jerseyville. She was a respected member of the business community and built many lasting relationships that she treasured, and will long be remembered. She was a lady of tremendous grace and class, and was as beautiful on the inside and she was on the outside, in the truest form.
Surviving are her husband of 67 years, John Barry Ritter of Jerseyville; her seven children and their spouses, Cindy and Alex Brown of St. Louis, Mo., Robin and Duane Downer of Rosewood Heights, Mary Myers of Delmar, Ca., Julie Southern of LosGatos, Ca., Joe and Janelle Ritter of Jerseyville, John and Connie Ritter of Jerseyville, and James and Deb Ritter of Jerseyville; a son in law, Leonard "Lenny" Richey of Alton; 11 Grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a sister in-law, Mary Thompson ofJerseyville; a brother in law, Michael Ritter of Jerseyville; a sister in-law and brother in-law, Margie and Fred Walther ofMurfreesboro, Tn.; along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Erika Rose Ritter on May 24, 1990; her oldest daughter, Janis Jo Ritter on Dec. 11, 2014; a son in law, Andrew H. Southern on June 11, 2013; a brother, Joseph Thompson; a sister, Helen Powers; her father in-law and mother in-law, Joseph and Esther Ritter; two sisters in-law and a brother in-law, Robert and Betty Ritter and Mary Ritter; a niece, Katie (Walther) Primm and nephew, Joseph Grant Thompson.
Visitation will begin at 3 p.m.. on Tuesday at the Crawford Funeral Home and will conclude at 7 p.m. with a Rosary Recitation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Fr. Martin Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville
.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools in Jerseyville.
Crawford Funeral Home
