Charles P. Ritchey

Charles P. Ritchey, age 79 of Ashland passed on to be with his Lord on Sunday December 30,2018.

Charles (known as Charlie to most) was born on April 4, 1939 in Pontiac, Michigan the son of the late Charles D. and Dorothy E. (Grimwood) Ritchey. He lived his first few years in Michigan before moving to Ohio. Charles attended the Union School and Savannah School where he graduated. His most memorable high school memories were from being a part of the 1956-1957 Savannah Sailor basketball team which was inducted into the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame. He continued to play Basketball while attending Midland College. Once out of College he was employed by Dave Sale (Sale Chevrolet). His career was put on hold when he joined the United States Marine Corps for five years and served his country in Viet Nam. Upon his return from Viet Nam, Charles married the love of his life, Hazel A. Chesser of Wadsworth.

He returned to the automotive business for the next twenty plus years and was employed at Sale Chevrolet, Skarl Buick where he was the General Manager and JJ Auto World where he was also the General Manager. He then left the automotive business and was employed at Western Southern Life Insurance for 15 years before retiring.

Charles had the “Gift of Gab” and loved being a Salesman and meeting new people. He spent a lot of time attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He truly loved sports and was an avid golfer. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ashland where he was very active teaching Sunday school and organizing bus trips.

Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years Hazel A. Ritchey; son and daughter in law, Charles (Leigh Ann) Ritchey of Wooster, Ohio; daughter and son in law, Kimberly (Britt) Troth of Ashland and son and daughter in law, Craig (Jody) Ritchey of Shelby, Ohio.

Eight grandchildren also survive, Erica (Ryan) Crook of Trenton, North Carolina; Locke and Andrew Troth of Ashland; Nick Ritchey of Shelby, Ohio, Heidi Furin of Wooster Ohio and Renee (Connar) Franks of Wooster, Ohio. One great grandson, Lewis James Crook of Trenton North Carolina also survives.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents and one sister Shirley.

A memorial celebration of Charles’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Ashland on Saturday January 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Allan Bevere and Pastor Michael Namey officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. prior to the memorial celebration at the First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’s name may be given to either of the following organizations;

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 81, 1338 Claremont Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805 or First United Methodist Church,220 Sandusky Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805

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