Earl L. "Pete" Ritter, 81, of St. Jacob, IL, born March 5, 1937 in Highland, IL passed away Monday, June 4, 2018 at Faith Country Side, Highland, IL

Earl was a long time member of St. Jacob United Church of Christ, St. Jacob Volunteer Fire Department retired with 20 years of service (1991). He was raised on the family farm east of St. Jacob were he resided his entire life. He attended the Frey Country School and St. Jacob High School graduating in the class 1956. Earl served two years in the US Army and came home to work on the family farm. Earl retired in 1999. He enjoyed farming. He and his wife enjoyed motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, and in his later years traveling throughout the country in his red Chevy pick-up truck. He enjoyed gatherings with both family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville G. Ritter d. 11/14/1987 and Ruth E. (nee Pence) Ritter d. 12/7/1992; brother, Ralph G. Ritter d. 10/30/2016; brother-in-law, William "Bill" Hoffman d. 2/20/1994

Surviving are his wife, Kathleen L. "Kathy" Ritter (nee Gilomen) whom he married November 12, 1960; children, Rick Ritter of St. Jacob, IL and Diane (Sam) Frey of Highland, IL; grandchildren, Brent Frey of Marine, IL, Kelli (Jeremy) Zurliene of Highland, IL, Rodney (Christina) Ritter of Wentzville, MO and Kerry (Christina) Ritter of Collinsville, IL; great-grandchildren, Brantley and Brenna Zurliene; sister, Carol Mae Hoffman of Highland, IL; Sister- in – Law, Pauline Ritter of Burlington, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to St. Jacob UCC Building Fund, St. Jacob Fire Department, Keystone Cemetery or Charity of Donor's Choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com

Friends may call 4:30 to 8 pm Thursday, June 7, at Aebischer-Richeson Funeral Home, St. Jacob, IL and 9 to 10 am Friday, June 8, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ, St. Jacob, IL.

Funeral services will be held 10 am Friday, June 8 at St. Jacob United Church of Christ, with Rev. Gary Kniepkamp officiating. Interment will be in Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, IL.

AEBISCHER-RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, St. Jacob, IL