Bert Ritter, 73

LEWES - Bert Ritter of Lewes passed peacefully on July 10, 2007, at the Lewes Convalescent Home surrounded by family and friends after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was 73.

Mr. Ritter was born on Jan. 9, 1934.

He owned and operated Ritter Farms Inc. with all his brothers and son.

Mr. Ritter enjoyed spending time with his family and his grandchildren.

He loved rabbit hunting with his dogs, farming and auto racing, owning race cars to include a coupe that he drove in his younger days.

Mr. Ritter was an honorary member of the Lewes Fire Department.

He was also a 25 year member of the Improved Order of Redmen of Delaware and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 646 in Lewes.

Mr. Ritter was preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret Ritter; and his sister, Mary Lou Steele.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Etta Wells Ritter; a son, Brad and his wife, Laura and their triplets Amanda, Adam, and Aaron, all of Lewes; three stepsons, Robert McCabe and wife, Stephanie and their three children Willie, Justin, and Leslie, all of Harbeson, Ralph McCabe and his wife, Ronda and their four children, Amber, Brian, Chase, and Kaitlyn, all of Millsboro, Randy McCabe and his wife, Melinda and their children, Allen and Natasha of Frankford; three brothers, Frank and his wife, Janet of Lewes, Irvin and his wife, Eleanor of Milford and Howard "Bud" and his wife, Jacqui of Lewes; six sisters, Marie Savin of Milford, Ethel Lee and her husband, Keith of Harbeson, June Simpson and her husband, Danny of Harbeson, Joann Burton and her husband, John of Lewes, Janice Mosley and her husband, Jim of Seaford, Pat Rust and her husband, Larry of Seaford; and several special nephews and nieces, and a very large and loving extended family and special group of treasured friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Rd, Millsboro, where friends and family may call today from 6-8 p.m.

Burial will be in St. George"s Chapel Cemetery near Angola.

Bert enjoyed spending time at the annual Relay of Life with all of his friends so the family requests instead of flowers, make all donations to the American Cancer Society, C/O Holly Lake Campgrounds, 32087 Holly Lake Rd, Millsboro, DE. 19966.