Edith Ritchie

Edith M. (McCreery) Ritchie, 98, a resident of rural Gaston and widow of prominent Harrison Township farmer Otis P. Ritchie, went home to be with her Lord on Friday morning, July 29, 2011, at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. Mrs. Ritchie was born in Gaston on December 4, 1912, a daughter of Lloyd and Winona (Manring) McCreery, and moved to the McCreery farm in Harrison Township as a child with her parents.e She graduated from Harrison Township High School in 1930, and from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University) in 1934. She taught for several years at Harrison Township High School and was married in Gaston on August 27, 1933 to Otis P. Ritchie.e The couple moved to their farm home in Harrison Township in 1935, and along with her husband she operated Ritchiedale Farms near Gaston and raised and showed Guernsey cattle for many years. She was a member of the Gaston United Methodist Church, served as its children's church school superintendent for many years, and was a Sunday school teacher.e She was also a member of Upland Order of the Eastern Star 417, and the Alpha Tau Women's Club. Surviving are her son Donald P. (Phyllis) Ritchie of Gaston; four granddaughters Tammy (Rick) Samuel of New Knoxville, Oh., Conny Knight of Albany, Michelle (Bill) Back of Dunkirk, and Carrie (Greg) Newsome of Gaston; two grandson Timothy P. Ritchie and Jerry D. Knight, both of Dunkirk; 15 great-grandchildren Alex, Andrew, Connor, and Jessi Samuel, Meghan (Mike) Schuyler, Kadie and Courtney Knight,e Tyler, Emily and Samantha Back, Jacob, Keegan, and Kyann Newsome, ande Peighton and Landon Ritchie; three great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Brayden, and Dylan Schuyler; a sister-in-law Pat Ritchie of Dunkirk; three nephews Dean McCreery of Greenville, SC., Steve (Jill) Ritchie of Bryant, and Tony (Melissa) Ritchie of Muncie; and two nieces Janet (Jerry) Thornburg of Bryant and Cathy Nauman of Muncie. In addition toe her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers Ralph McCreery, Paul McCreery, and C. Wayne McCreery; a brother-in-law Jerry Ritchie; and a sister-in-law Thelma Ritchie. Funeral services will be held at 1 p. m. on Tuesday at Gaston United Methodist Church with Pastor John Long, officiating.e Interment will be in Gardens of Memory, north of Muncie. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 4 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Tuesday afternoon. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Gaston United Methodist Church. ********************************************