Franklin D Ritchie

Franklin D. Ritchie, age 76, of Spiceland, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Henry County Hospital. He was born November 11, 1936 in Sulphur Springs to the late Clessie and Dot (Emsweiller) Ritchie.

He retired from Pendleton Reformatory where he had been employed for over 12 years. He had also worked in construction and for the City of New Castle pouring concrete and had delivered newspapers for the Courier Times for over 15 years. He was a member of the Eagles and Moose Lodges, in New Castle and was also a member of the Henry County Saddle Club. He enjoyed showing horses with his daughter and traveling. He also enjoyed traveling cross country on motorcycle and racing Midget Cars at Mt. Lawn and Winchester Speedway when he was young. He was a stuntman at Old Tucson, Arizona and ran the Snake and Salmon River in Idaho on a raft. At the age of 74, Franklin was a cook at Chengea Bay Fishing Camp in Alaska.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Sandy (Davidson) Ritchie of Spiceland; two daughters, Tamahine Ritchie of Logansport and Delana Ritchie of Spiceland; several nieces and nephews; special friends, John Lunetta, of Chanega Bay, Alaska and Vic and Sue Bertzer of Mondovi, Wisconsin.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Dale, Burton and Clessie Ritchie and Bob Buss; sisters, Helen Buss, Jane Conover, Margaret Mitchell, and Virginia Ritchie.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Burial will follow in Miller Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share a memory of Franklin at www.hinsey-brown.com .