Obituary for Willis C. Ritchey
Willis Clayton Ritchey, 91, of Chambersburg, PA went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 14, 2023 in his home surrounded by family. Born September 18, 1931 in Yellow Creek, Bedford County, PA he was a son of the late Clayton and Alma Bollman Ritchey.
After graduating from Yellow Creek School, Willis went to work at Atlantic Breeders Co-op fresh off the farm. During his 43-year career at ABC, he went from cleaning bullpens at their headquarters in Lancaster, PA to Dover, DE where he was a technician and ending up in Chambersburg as Area Supervisor in charge of South American sales. Following retirement, Willis operated Ritchey's Tree Farm and enjoyed investing in the stock market.
Willis was a member of Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, formerly Fourth Street Church of the Brethren. Along with his first wife, Lucretia, who was a local pastor in Greencastle, PA, he was involved in a rich church family life. He had many faithful friends and neighbors, including Keena, Deb and Wayne, who played a key role in his care and ability to remain independent. Willis enjoyed traveling, gardening, family gatherings, investing and being right! He also kept himself busy as a handyman of sorts, never without a pocketknife and always on the lookout for a job that needed doing, earning himself the title “Mr. Fix-it.”
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucretia McKnight Ritchey, and his second wife, Iona “Jeanne” Ritchey. He is survived by two sons Jeff Ritchey of Hopewell, PA and Bruce Ritchey (Barbara) of Chambersburg; his sister-in-law Brenda Gayle Orndorf, Hanover, PA; two of his brothers Marl (Jeanne), Everett, PA and Jimmy, Waynesboro, PA; and Buddy, his faithful canine companion.
He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Brett (Shelley), Piedmont, SC; Cody (Storm), Bellefonte, PA; Chad (Ashley), Hopewell, PA; Casey (Dan) Westminster, CO; Marah (John), Dublin, IRE; Blair (Pat), Lakewood, OH; Bronwyn, Pittsburgh, PA; 17 great grandchildren who will all lovingly remember him and his warm smile.
In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Fern Ritchey and Lois (Walter) Mills; and three brothers Verl, Ralph and Clair Ritchey.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023, in Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, 260 S. 4th Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201 with the Rev. Liz Thorpe and Rev. Harold E. Yeager officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services Saturday afternoon in the church. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery, Chambersburg. There will be a time of fellowship following the burial back at the church. Arrangements are by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chambersburg Salvation Army, 159 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
After graduating from Yellow Creek School, Willis went to work at Atlantic Breeders Co-op fresh off the farm. During his 43-year career at ABC, he went from cleaning bullpens at their headquarters in Lancaster, PA to Dover, DE where he was a technician and ending up in Chambersburg as Area Supervisor in charge of South American sales. Following retirement, Willis operated Ritchey's Tree Farm and enjoyed investing in the stock market.
Willis was a member of Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, formerly Fourth Street Church of the Brethren. Along with his first wife, Lucretia, who was a local pastor in Greencastle, PA, he was involved in a rich church family life. He had many faithful friends and neighbors, including Keena, Deb and Wayne, who played a key role in his care and ability to remain independent. Willis enjoyed traveling, gardening, family gatherings, investing and being right! He also kept himself busy as a handyman of sorts, never without a pocketknife and always on the lookout for a job that needed doing, earning himself the title “Mr. Fix-it.”
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucretia McKnight Ritchey, and his second wife, Iona “Jeanne” Ritchey. He is survived by two sons Jeff Ritchey of Hopewell, PA and Bruce Ritchey (Barbara) of Chambersburg; his sister-in-law Brenda Gayle Orndorf, Hanover, PA; two of his brothers Marl (Jeanne), Everett, PA and Jimmy, Waynesboro, PA; and Buddy, his faithful canine companion.
He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Brett (Shelley), Piedmont, SC; Cody (Storm), Bellefonte, PA; Chad (Ashley), Hopewell, PA; Casey (Dan) Westminster, CO; Marah (John), Dublin, IRE; Blair (Pat), Lakewood, OH; Bronwyn, Pittsburgh, PA; 17 great grandchildren who will all lovingly remember him and his warm smile.
In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Fern Ritchey and Lois (Walter) Mills; and three brothers Verl, Ralph and Clair Ritchey.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023, in Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, 260 S. 4th Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201 with the Rev. Liz Thorpe and Rev. Harold E. Yeager officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services Saturday afternoon in the church. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery, Chambersburg. There will be a time of fellowship following the burial back at the church. Arrangements are by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chambersburg Salvation Army, 159 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg, PA 17201.