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Joshua R. Ritter of Columbia

Joshua "Josh" R. Ritter, 24 years, of Columbia, Illinois, passed away on Nov. 30, 2020 at Barnes Jewish Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born March 29, 1996, in St. Louis.

Josh was a graduate of SLU High School Class of 2014, and was a founding member of the Patriots Club. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Management/Human Resources Management/Information Technology from SIU-Edwardsville, where he graduated cum laude, and later achieved the designation of Human Resources Professional, of which he was quite proud.

He was still pursuing his MBA at the time of his passing. Josh was a workaholic in academics as well as in his career as a Human Resources manager at Six Flags in St. Louis. He was passionate about roller coasters and their design, and had visited and enjoyed many amusement parks across the country. Josh valued his spare time with his family and friends. His positive attitude and generosity were an inspiration to all.

Surviving are his parents, Carl John (Kimberly) Ritter of Columbia and Cheryl (Mike) Czopek of St. Louis; his sister, Madeline Ritter of St. Louis; paternal grandmother, Christine Ritter-Gauvain of Waterloo, Illinois; maternal grandmother, Cathie Morgan of Sacramento, California; maternal grandfather, Jerry (Jackie) Morgan of Du Quoin; along with other relatives and friends.

Josh was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Carl "Corky" Ritter, and Arthur Gauvain.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. A funeral Mass will follow the visitation at noon, with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the Immaculate Conception Education and Activities Center Building Fund, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL, 62236, or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 8251 Maryland, St. Louis, MO, 63105.

For more information, access www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia, Illinois is handling arrangements.