Betty Yvonne Howman

Betty Yvonne Ritter was born July 29, 1930, to Henry Merle and Viola Irene (Pinnick) Ritter on a farm near Apple Creek, OH. She later lived on a farm near West Salem, OH.

She went to Overton school until fifth grade. When the family moved to the OARDC (Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center), she went to Wooster Elementary School, then to Wooster High School, from where she graduated in 1948.

She worked in the office of the forestry department of the OARDC, then later worked in the office of Harris Print Company of Wooster.

After marrying, she worked at Ohio Farmers Insurance in Leroy. The company is now called Westfield Insurance, and the town has been renamed Westfield Center.

On September 24, 1950, Betty and Lyle “Pete” Dale Howman were married at Betty’s home by the Rev. J.D. Hamel. Betty and Lyle had four children, Michael Dale (Dagmar) Howman of Seville, Barbara Yvonne Lincoln of Lansing, MI, Jeffry Merle (Katharine) of Rhode Island, and Irene Fay Knapp of Elyria.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Stephanie Napier of Canton, Patrick (Nazira) Howman of Cuyahoga Falls, Samuel (Denisa Karfakova) Lincoln of Sterling, VA, Justin Howman of Coventry, RI, Amanda (Gregory) Cordle of Warwick, RI, Heather Nelson and Kaomi Eilund of Elyria, and Kymmiko (Sean) Hylinski of North Olmstead.

There are 16 great-grandchildren. They are Steven Tyler Davis, Braydon and Cameron Howman, Jack Lincoln, Travis and Colby Howman, Samantha and Max Cordle, Daysha Nelson and Mariah Ruffin, Jocelyn, Evelyn, Kaelyn, and Rozalyn Hylinski, and Blaze and Kai Eilund. Also surviving are two great-great grandchildren, Waylon and Kayson Davis.

Among other survivors are a sister-in-law, Leanna Ritter of Wooster, a niece Rhonda (David) Rinehart of Ashland, a nephew David (Anna) Ritter of Tomaska, Poland. There are two grand nieces Korina and Lilianna Ritter.

Other survivors are six step grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Richard Ritter, and a great-great grandson Steven Talon (Tallie) Davis.

Betty was a homemaker all her married life. She liked to do word puzzles and go for walks in the woods. She was a cat lover and had two cats, Mango and Sweetie. Mango was a rescue cat from Michigan. Sweetie was a stray who wandered into Betty’s backyard one day and decided it was a good place to stay. Mango and Sweetie ended up living in Michigan.

Friends may call Wednesday March 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel, Wooster. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home (and livestreamed at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com/obituaries/Betty-Ritter) with Chaplain Lindsay Robinson officiating. Burial will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayne County Humane Society at 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd, Wooster, OH 44691.