David Earl Ritter, 79 of Adrian, MO, died Thursday, May 18, 2017 at his home. Funeral services were held Monday, May 22, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Adrian with burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.

David was born April 4, 1938 in Paris, Illinois, the son of Gerald and Frances (Denham) Ritter. On May 14, 1959 he was married to Mary Brown and had just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. David and Mary had two children, Judy (Ritter) Skorepa and Steven Ritter, three grandchildren, Sarah (Skorepa) Kennedy, David Skorepa, Roger Skorepa, and two great-grandchildren, Jake Kennedy and Leo Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his father-Gerald, his mother-Frances, his brothers-James and Joe, and mother-in-law-Clyita Brown.

David served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960 and worked as a cable repairman with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co for 33 years before retiring in 1992. He loved gardening and gave much away to others but his favorite thing was "spoiling" his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, James and Joe, and mother-in-law, Clyita Brown. He is survived by his wife; two children, Judy (Ritter) Skorepa and Steven Ritter; three grandchildren, Sarah (Skorepa) Kennedy, David Skorepa, and Roger Skorepa, and two great-grandchildren, Jake Kennedy and Leo Kennedy.