Howard Charles "Howie" Ritter Jr.

Howard Charles "Howie" Ritter, Jr., age 83, of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 20, 1942, he was the son of the late Howard Charles Sr. and Edith (Walls) Ritter. Howie graduated from John Bartram High School where he excelled in basketball. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Howie made many dear friends from his time at Bell Telephone/Verizon, while continuing to maintain friendships he made in his childhood.

Howie was an avid Philadelphia sports fan. He looked forward to supporting his son who coaches Football for Howard High School of Technology. As a proud grandfather, Howie enjoyed watching and cheering on his grandsons' sports activities. He loved hosting crabbing events, summer pool celebrations, and many different reunions throughout the fall and winter seasons with his loving wife.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Ewing Ritter; sisters, Lorraine Burns, Joan Gray, and Violet Heilenman; and daughter, Lynn Ritter. He is survived by his son, Dan Ritter and his wife Georgia with whom he lived in Middletown; grandsons, Cade and Clayton Ritter; honorary in-laws, Amy and Tom Whetham; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and a host of dear friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 8:30 am until 10 am on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 10 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Howie's memory to the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual DisABILITIES (DFRC), 640 Plaza Drive, Newark, DE 19702 or online by clicking here.