Michael Lee Ritchie

Michael Lee Ritchie, 53, of Marietta went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 27, 2009 at 11:40 pm after a long battle with Sarcoidosis.  He passed away at Marietta Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

Michael was born on November 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 9 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 2 sons:  Timothy M. (Sarilda) Ritchie of Belpre and Mark A. (Sandra) Ritchie of Piketon, OH; 2 daughters:  Andrea N. (Eric) Ritchie of Beverly and Allyssa I. Ritchie of the home; 8 grandchildren:  Bailey and Madison Ritchie. Brianna Rosen, Kaelyn Cox, Graci, Laci, Colton, and Jamison Ritchie.  Also surviving are 2 brothers:  Jerry (Barbara) Ritchie of Tulsa, OK 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 on Tuesday (December 1st) at 2:00pm 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 2:00 on Monday until the hour of the service. 

Memorial contributions are requested to McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home.