Thomas William Ritter

1952 - 2025

Thomas William Ritter

February 12, 1952 - August 20, 2025

BLUE MOUND - Thomas William Ritter, 73, of Blue Mound, was preparing for his 51st harvest when he passed away and entered his heavenly home on August 20, 2025.

Visitation will be on August 24, 2025 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St., Decatur. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on August 25, 2025. Burial will be in Hall Cemetery, Blue Mound. Arrangements are by Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at Calvertmemorial.com.

Born on February 12, 1952 in Decatur, IL, he was the son of the late William H. and Arlone (Deardorff) Ritter. He married his wife Diana D. (Virt) of Boody, IL in 1979 and they had three sons.

Tom passionately served his Lord, his family, his community, and the agricultural industry at large throughout his life. He excelled in sports during high school, competing in basketball, slow-pitch softball, and track once holding the Blue Mound High School record for the fastest 800-meter run in under 2 minutes. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree.

He was a trustee, elder, deacon serving, and liturgist at Central Christian Church in Decatur. He acted as Richland Community College Trustee (former president) and liaison for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association. As one of the longest tenured Illinois Farm Bureau Crop Watchers, he reported weekly happenings for Macon County. His last report ended, "Hope to see everyone Aug. 26-28 in Decatur for the Farm Progress Show." A moment of silence will commemorate Tom at the start of this year's event. Tom co-organized many decades of the annual Blue Mound Fall Festival as a longtime board member and former president. He was a member of the Meridian Ag Foundation.

Past activities include Meridian School Board President, Blue Mound School Board President, Pleasant View Township Supervisor, Macon County 4-H Foundation, Macon County Farm Bureau President, Illinois Soybean Association, National Soybean Checkoff Board, and U.S. Grains Council.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Diana; three sons, Cory (Jan) Ritter of Blue Mound, IL, Cole (Ashleigh) Ritter of Avon, IN, and Cale Ritter of Broomfield, CO;

four grandchildren, Celia, Harper, Reece, and Ryden; sister, Nancy Hanover of Mt. Zion, IL; step-father, Glen Dalluge; two brothers-in-law, Daniel (Margaret) Virt of Livingston, TX and David (Rita) Virt of Cicero, IN; and sister-in-law, Dena Vincent of Fishers, IN.

He is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Carrol and Rea Virt; and brother-in-law Mark Hanover.

The family extends their deepest appreciation and gratitude for all the first responders, farmers, and Legacy Grain Cooperative who lended support.

Memorials may be made to the Meridian Ag Foundation (MAF) Memorial Scholarship Fund or to Central Christian Church noting "In Memory of Tom Ritter".