Frances Juanita Ritter, 86, of Crawfordsville, passed away Saturday evening at Bickford. She was a wonderful and kind Christian wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Juanita was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary and attended many functions over the years with her husband, a Korean War Army veteran. She worked at Littleville Day Care Center for over 20 years, where she was lovingly known as "Miss Nita" to the countless children she cared for. She later worked as a hostess at Woody's. She loved to play Bunco and, most of all, spend time with her family.

Born May 6, 1936, in Waynesburg, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Rubin C. Norris and Vada Godbey Norris. She attended school at Waynesburg. She married John H. Ritter on August 10, 1956 and he passed away Jan. 24, 1987.

She is survived by two daughters, Brenda Long (Steve Hutchens) of Waynetown and Debbie Cloncs (Brian) of Crawfordsville; a son, Keith Ritter (Dawn) of New Market; three grandchildren, Ryan Long (Erin), Justin Ritter (Richelle Greene), and Lauren Ritter Garrett (Brandon); and three great-grandchildren, Grant, Katie and Emerson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, grandson Alex Cloncs, two infant grandchildren, and five siblings: Willena "Red" Harris, Bonnie Lebego, Cecil Norris, Russell Norris and Robert Norris.

A visitation will be held from 4pm – 8pm on Wednesday, March 1 at Burkhart Funeral Home, Crawfordsville. Services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 2 at 11am, after which she will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery North. Online condolences may be made at www.BurkhartFH.com .

The family wishes to thank the staff at Bickford and SouthernCare Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Juanita in her final days. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.