Private Chester W. Ritter

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Thursday, November 2, 1944
Page 1

Former Local Man Is Killed in Italy on October 13, Father Here Is Notified

Pvt. Chester W. Ritter, age twenty-seven, formerly of Seymour, was killed in action while fighting with the U.S. Army on the Italian front on October 13, according to a message received by his father, J. Albert "Squire" Ritter, of this city.

Pvt. Ritter, who has been overseas for several months, was fighting with the U.S. Infantry in the Italian campaign when he made the supreme sacrifice for his country.

A resident of Seymour during the greater part of his life, Pvt. Ritter had lived for the past five or six years in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he had been employed with a shoe manufacturing concern until he entered the U.S. Army. Prior to moving to Chillicothe, he was employed at the shoe factory in this city and his many friends are shocked to learn of his death.

Sister, Mother in Ohio.

Pvt. Ritter, who would have been twenty-eight years of age in February, was born in Seymour and attended grade schools and Shields High School here. His mother lives in Chillicothe with his only sister, Mrs. Dorothy Pickereall, wife of Leonard Pickerell, both formerly of Seymour.

Pvt. Ritter was married and his wife, the former Bernalee Spall of Seymour, now resides in Indianapolis.

Since moving to Chillicothe, Pvt. Ritter had visited in this city frequently and enjoyed the acquaintance of a large circle of friends who are shocked by the news of his death. In addition to the father, a number of other relatives reside in Seymour.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, March 8, 1944
Page 8

Private Chester W. Ritter now has the following address: Pvt. Chester W. Ritter, 35226207, Co. A. 14th Battalion, 4th Replacement, Reg. Inf. AGFRD No. 1, Ft. George G. Meade, Md.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, November 8, 1944
Page 8

C. Ritter Promoted Shortly Before Death

Mrs. Bernalee Spall Ritter, widow of Pfc. Chester W. Ritter, reported officially as having been killed in action while fighting with the U.S. Army on the Italian front, was here during the week end visiting Pfc. Ritter's father, J. Albert "Squire" Ritter of this city.

Mrs. Ritter told the former local youth's father her husband had recently been promoted to private first class and that he had joined the Baptist Church at Chillicothe, Ohio, shortly before he was sent overseas while he was home on furlough.

Accompanying Mrs. Ritter here were her mother, Mrs. D. Spall, Owen Spall, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lahne and small daughter. Mrs. Ritter, who now lives at 1253 South Shepherd street, Indianapolis, received the message last week that her husband had been killed on October 13.