Eldred H. Ritter 71 passed away December 14, 2008 after a long battle with lung cancer. He was born March 6, 1937. Eldred was very involved with the Eagles Aerie #2535 of Big Rapids. He was very instrumental in getting the beautiful Eagles building built on Chippewa Lake Road and very involved with the club. In his working years, he was in the grocery business, starting in his senior year at Big Rapids High School working for the Kroger Store in Big Rapids with his uncle Alton Hollenbeck. Eventually Eldred was manager of many Kroger Stores in Grand Rapids. He was a manager for Super Valu Stores in Wisconsin and later owned and operated his own supermarket in Knox, Indiana. He also sold life insurance and belonged to the 500 club. Eldred loved fishing and playing the organ. He was preceded in death by his Dad, Henry, his brother Alan, his mother and stepfather, Doris and Charles Balcom and a step-brother, Charles Balcom. Eldred is survived by his daughter, Barb (Ritter) and husband Dave Juday of South Bend, Indiana, his son Brad Ritter and wife Elaine of Grand Ledge, MI and son Jeff Ritter of Orlando, FL and his grandchildren Michael, Brooke and Josh. He is also survived by his sisters, Karen Balcom Jetter and husband Cyrus of Big Rapids and Marlene Ritter Boyd of Stanwood, also his brothers, Kenneth Balcom of Marenisco, MI and Brian "Bud" Balcom of Wakefield, MI and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral, as per Eldred's request. There will be a memorial luncheon held at the Big Rapids Eagles for family and friends on Wednesday, December 17th at 2:45 p.m.