Obituary of John Ritchey

Chief Master Sergeant U.S. Air Force (retired) John Neil “Pete” Ritchey, age 87, of Detroit, passed away, Friday March 29, 2013, at Christus St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana. Mr. Ritchey was born December 25, 1925, in Detroit to Charlie and Martha Farmer Ritchey. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Flippo Ritchey and a daughter, Carol Jo Ritchey. He achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and retired after 24 ½ years of service to his country in the U.S. Air Force. Pete was a member of the Class of 1944 at Detroit High School, the 1st Baptist Church of Detroit and owned Detroit Nursery and The Detroit Café. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at the 1st Baptist Church in Detroit with his son, Rev. Mark Ritchey officiating. Burial will follow with Full Military Honors in Detroit Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Roy Ritchey, Josh Ryle, Terry Byrd, Ray Porter, Brett Foster, Keith Foster, Doug Foster and Wayne Doudney. Honorary Pallbearers are Wesley Conley, Johnny Foster and Stan Maple. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Ritchey; 2 sons, Mark Ritchey and wife Joy of Maud and Neil Ritchey and wife Sandra of Detroit; 1 daughter, Lynn Ryle and Mike Van Sicklen of Nashville, Tennessee; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.