This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: DERITTER, LEE, DYKSTRA, SOODSMA Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kFB.2ACE/5657 Message Board Post: De RITTER, Elmer Sr. Age 89 Of Grand Rapids Passed away Sunday, August 13, 2006. He was born October 4, 1916 in Paterson, NJ, the son of Cornelius and Trina De Ritter. Before moving to Grand Rapids, MI in 2000, he was a resident of Paterson, NJ, Glen Rock, NJ, North Haledon, NJ, and Green Pond, NJ. He was a member of the Midland Park Christian Reformed Church, Midland Park, NJ, and the Green Pond Bible Chapel, Newfoundland, NJ. On December 24, 1940, he was united in marriage to Lena (Lee) De Ritter, who survives him. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Elmer Jr. and Lorraine De Ritter of Rockford; son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Diane De Ritter of Comstock Park, MI; daughter, Margaret De Ritter and her partner, Amy Bartell of Kalamazoo, MI; four grandchildren, Glenn (Kim) De Ritter, Cynthia Dykstra, Amanda De Ritter, Christopher De Ritter; five great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Herb (Florence) Soodsma of Wyoming, MI, Lambertus (Harriet) Soodsma of Grandville, MI; sister-in-law, Muriel De Ritter! of Charlotte, NC; and many nieces and nephews in many locations. Mr. De Ritter was preceded in death by brothers, Jim (Jennie) De Ritter, George (Doris) De Ritter; brother-in-law, Jacob (Agnes) Soodsma of New Jersey. In 1937, Mr. De Ritter graduated from Cooper Union in New York City with a B.S. degree. He had a distinguished career as a Chemical Engineer for Hoffman-LaRoche for 39 years and is the holder of numerous patents. He was a member of the Eastern Christian Schools Board of Education. He also served as an Elder and Deacon and was a member of the Men's Society at the Midland Park Christian Reformed Church. He loved sailing, swimming, fishing, and bowling. He was a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather. Funeral services for Mr. De Ritter will be held on Wednesday 10 a.m. at the Raybrook Manor Chapel (2121 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids) with Rev. George Aupperlee officiating. Interment Englishville Cemetery. Members of the family will receive relatives and friends ! on Tuesday from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel 2800 Burton St. S.E. Grand Rapids and Wednesday from 9 - 10 a.m. at the Raybrook Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Eastern Christian School Association, 50 Oakwood Ave., North Haledon, NJ 07508. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 8/15/2006. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)