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Visitation:
12 noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024, at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln
Service:
Private
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
On June 16, 2024, Joan Celeste (Godsil)
Ritter, age 84, passed away peacefully at The Bridge
Care Suites in Springfield, Illinois.
Joan is survived by her husband of 64 years, William
F. Ritter; and children, Brian (Leanor) Ritter of
Mesa, Arizona, and Melissa (Sean) Kleingartner of
Springfield, Illinois.
Joan enjoyed spending time growing roses and
gardening, traveling, being snowbirds in Mesa,
Arizona, playing with the grandkids & watching their
various activities throughout the years: Castille
(Jack Hawkins) Ritter of Henderson, Nevada,
Remington Ritter of Mesa, Arizona, Gabrielle Ritter
of Tempe, Arizona, Evan Kleingartner of Springfield,
Illinois, and Ryan Kleingartner of Springfield,
Illinois. In April of this year, she gained the
title of Great-Grandmother to Henry Ritter Hawkins
of Henderson, Nevada.
Joan Ritter graduated from Galesburg High School and
attended Marycrest College. Joan and Bill were
married in 1960, they moved to Monmouth, Illinois,
where she served as Warren County Circuit Clerk from
1966-1971 and was in charge of the Republican
Women’s Club. In 1970, Joan was recognized as a
member of the “Outstanding Young Women of America”.
Joan was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi and was
voted “Miss Congeniality” in 1977. Joan and family
moved to Lincoln, IL, in 1971 where she worked in
banking for several years.
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Joan continued her passion for city
government serving as an alderman 1981 – 1997. In
addition to serving in local government positions,
Joan was a community volunteer and served as a Cub
Scout and Girl Scout leader, as Northwest Elementary
School PTA president, secretary and treasurer over
many years. Joan also volunteered at the Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital, the Northwest School
Library, with the Head Start Program, the United
Fund, and the Cancer Fund. In 1987 Joan was
recognized for her community contributions and
received an award for “Outstanding Service as a
Public Official”.
Joan was elected as the 39th and 1st
female Mayor of Lincoln, IL, serving from 1997 –
2001.
Joan was preceded in death by her
daughter, Pamela Ritter, who passed as an infant;
her parents, Joseph and Myrtle Emma (Doubet) Godsil
of San Dimas, California; and three siblings, Terry
Godsil, Roger Godsil, and Gail (Godsil) Waller.
A visitation for Joan will be held
from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024, at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln. A
private family burial will be held.
Memorials may be made in Joan’s name to The Wounded
Warrior Project.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Joan
Celeste (Godsil) Ritter |
