Eugene H. Ritter

Eugene H. Ritter, 96, husband to Marianne C. Ritter, and patriarch to a family of 80 souls, went home to the Lord on July 30, 2024. Gene was born on November 18, 1927 in Evansville to the late Joseph J. and Blondina (Effinger) Ritter. He was a veteran of the United States Army and had worked as a tool and process engineer for Whirlpool Corporation for over 30 years prior to retiring in 1984. Gene was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vanderburgh County. He was a member of the Knights of St. John, St. Joe Men’s Club and was a founding member of the St. Joe Athletic Club. He also belonged to Twin Towers, VFW and American Legion. Gene was a hard worker and a Mr. Fix It for family and friends. Rarely was there a problem that he could not solve. Gene’s lasting legacy is his river camp, which he had for 77 years. The family grew up at the camp, enjoying boating, swimming and fishing. It is the glue that keeps this extended family so close. In addition to his river camp, he loved hunting ducks and deer. He, his sons and friends built a hunting lodge in Perry County, Indiana. Gene loved the hunting lodge, even after he no longer hunted. He would always say when you returned from your hunt: “Tell us your story”. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Marianne (Otte) Ritter; daughters, Janet (Rick) Niehaus, Diane (Mark Eubanks) Miller, Joann (Mark) Johns and Linda Ritter; sons, Steve (Lisa) Ritter, Dan (Mary) Ritter, Tom (Julie St. Clair) Ritter, John (Jennifer) Ritter, David (Stephanie) Ritter and Jim Ritter; twenty one grandchildren, Matthew Ritter, Jamie (Kevin) Horn, Derrick Niehaus, Laura Niehaus, Kevin Niehaus, Lisa (Ben) Boggs, Brian (Abbey) Rickey, Lisa (Jason) Ragle, Eric Miller, Danielle (Gary) Tepool, Andrew (Megan) Ritter, Joe (Peyton) Ritter, Michael (Emily) Ritter, Mark (Paulina) Ritter, Katie (Brett) Cummings, Kris (Katie) Ritter, Kayla Ritter, Kearstyn (Michael) Weber, Myranda (Derek Feld) Ritter, Alex (Chanice) Johns, Blake (Megan) Johns; and twenty-four great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Gerteisen and Agnes Ritter, by five brothers, Urban, Carl, Lawrence, Oscar and Bob Ritter, by son-in-law Rick Miller and by great-grandson Oliver James Tepool. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vanderburgh County, Rev. Eugene Schroeder officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Church Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 7:00 PM on Friday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:00 AM until service time on Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6202 W. St. Joseph Road, Evansville, IN 47720. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6202 W. St. Joseph Road, Evansville, IN 47720. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Eugene H. Ritter

November 18, 1927 - July 30, 2024