Michael Lee Ritchie, 53, of Marietta, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday (Nov. 27, 2009) at 11:40 p.m. after a long battle with Sarcoidosis. He passed away at Marietta Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.
Michael was born on Nov. 21, 1956, in Marietta, the son of the late Harvey and Jessie Freeland Ritchie. He was a member of Twin Rivers Baptist Church. Michael enjoyed being outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. He was a maintenance engineer and CNC machinist until struck with illness. Sgt. Ritchie served nine years in the Ohio Army National Guard and also served in the U. S. Navy.
Until they meet again, Michael is survived by his loving wife and caregiver of 33 years, Cynthia I. Weddle Ritchie. He is also survived by two sons, Timothy M. (Sarilda) Ritchie of Belpre and Mark A. (Sandra) Ritchie of Piketon, Ohio; two daughters, Andrea N. (Eric) Ritchie of Beverly and Allyssa I. Ritchie of the home; eight grandchildren, Bailey and Madison Ritchie, Brianna Rosen, Kaelyn Cox, Graci, Laci, Colton, and Jamison Ritchie. Also surviving are two brothers, Jerry (Barbara) Ritchie of Tulsa, Okla., and Roger (Marilyn) Ritchie of Whipple; sister, Kay (Donald) Hansen of Marietta; special in-laws, Shirley and Elbert Cox of Marietta; and special aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. He is also survived by his loving companion from the Reno Lions Club, his pilot dog "Walker."
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Isiah Michael Gearhart Ritchie; brothers, Edward, Ricky and Gary Ritchie; sister-in-law, Judy Ritchie; grandparents, Brady and Mary Fryman Ritchie and Ray Leonard and Iva Bell Freeland.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday (Dec. 1) at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Baumer officiating. Burial will follow in Gravel Bank Cemetery with full military rites. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. on Monday until the hour of the service. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mslfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions are requested to McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home.
