Fred D. Ritchey
GALION — A funeral liturgy for Fred D. Ritchey, 88, of Galion will be held Friday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. with family receiving friends at 9 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity Catholic Church, 126 N. Main St., Utica, with the Rev. Paul Faroh as celebrant, followed by a burial service at South Lawn Cemetery.
Fred died Aug. 27, 2007, at Village Care Center, Galion, where he left to rest in his hometown of Utica. He was born Oct. 29, 1918, in Utica to the late Charles and Mary (Ritchey) Riashi who migrated from Zahlie, Lebanon. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Raymond; sisters, Lena Rensch and Suzie Satonik; wives, Bonnie and Barbara; son, Charles “Rockne”; daughter, Andrea; and longtime mutt, Clover.
He was a graduate of Galion High School, served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was a dedicated fan of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish.
Fred delivered ice to residents (before refrigeration) for his father’s business, Galion Ice & Fuel. He learned the trade of meat cutting when the family business expanded to The Ritchey Food Bank (a facility that leased meat storage lockers), which matured into the first full grocery for Galion.
Fred and second wife, Barbara Decker-Ritchey, opened a children’s clothing boutique, Bib N Tucker, one in Galion and one in Mansfield and later moved to Columbus where he worked as a meat cutter for decades making endearing friends with both customers and co-workers.
He is survived by his brother, Dan (and family) of Galion; daughters, Mary Knarr of Kouts, Ind., Susan Kay Voliva of Santa Rosa, Calif., Lisa Varga and Dana Ritchey of Columbus; grandchildren, Geoff Knarr, Sara (McNamee) and David Voliva, Jenna and Chase Varga, Azar, Brittany (Nay), Anais and Aron Ritchey, Meagan, Abby and Ian Ritchey. Fred was blessed this year with a sole great-grandson, Mason McNamee.
We will miss our proud brother, loving friend and will always celebrate him being the ultimate father in fatherhood. Yahabebe, Godspeed and peace to you baba!
The Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., P.O. Box 456, Utica, is assisting the family with arrangements.
