Mildred Joan Ritter

Mildred Joan Ritter, 93, a resident of Neodesha, died Sunday April 12, 2026. She was born in Harwood, Mo., November 4, 1932, to Vernon F. and Mildred Aline (Charles) Smith, and graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1950. On May 27, 1950, she married Harvey Milton Ritter in Bentonville, Ark.

Joan worked at the Nevada Mo. airport restaurant where she met Harvey who would pick her up for dates in an open cockpit biplane. Later in life, after moving to Neodesha, she worked as a clerk for many years at Porter Drug Store. But most of all, Joan was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She would say it was her greatest accomplishment. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She also enjoyed time with her sorority sisters in Beta Sigma Phi, was a Girl Scout leader, and loved her monthly birthday club.

Survivors include one daughter, Dana Susan Newland and her husband Joe, of Neodesha; four grandchildren and their spouses, Justin and Alicia Newland, Wade and Kristy Newland, Tyler and Jamie Newland, and Jackie and Christian Garagiola; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Her husband, Harvey Milton Ritter; one daughter, Jacqueline Lee Ritter; one son, Harvey Michael Ritter; and one sister Nancy Hammel, preceded her in death.

A visitation will be held on Sunday April 19 at the Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Funeral Home in Neodesha from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will be held Monday April 20 at the United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Susan Hood and Bill Smith will officiate. Following the service, there will be a burial service in Mount Vernon Cemetery near Dedrick, Mo. at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church or Mount Vernon Cemetery and may be left with the funeral home.