C layton Leroy Ritterbush was born November 5, 1925 in Foster, Nebraska , the only child of Emil and Bessie (Quimby) Ritterbush.  He died June 24, 2016 at his home in Mills, Nebraska at the age of 90 years.

They made their home in various locations around the Mills area until the death of his father in 1937.  He then went to stay with his uncle Floyd in Wisner, Nebraska.  He later moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska to stay with other relatives, where he also worked in the sugar beat fields.  He returned to live with Milbert and Emma Bothwell and went to high school.

Upon graduation, he was drafted into the Army on June 28, 1944.  He served in the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters as a combat infantryman rifle sharpshooter.  He was discharged on May 12, 1946 at Fort Douglas, Utah.

Clayton returned to the Mills area and married Getha Margaret Gates on December 6, 1947 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  They had three sons: Roger, born in 1948, Bruce, born in 1959 and Scott born in 1964.  Clayton and Getha lived on the farm in Mills for the remainder of their lives.

Clayton is survived by his sons: Roger of Mills, NE;  Bruce and Scott on the farm; and by two grandchildren: Shawn (Anita) Ritterbush and Lori (Ron) Armitage; 6 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife, Getha.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 10:30 AM at the Mills Community Church in Mills, NE.  Burial will be in the Olive Branch Cemetery, Mills.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Church.