Obituary of Virgil H. Ritchey

Virgil H. Ritchey, 94, of Lititz, PA, was welcomed peacefully into heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday morning, March 23, 2025, while in his sleep. Born in Tatesville, Bedford County, PA, on April 5, 1930, he was the son of the late Marvin S. and Mildred L. McFarland Ritchey. He was the husband of Nora Nolt Garber Ritchey for 14 years in November. Virgil was preceded in death in 2009 by his first wife of 57 years, Frances A. Greenawalt Ritchey. 

Virgil was a graduate of Robert P Smith High School in Hopewell Twp., Bedford County, where he played basketball and scored the winning point of a championship game.

After he and Frances married, had their first daughter, and had built up a successful dairy herd, he was called to serve his country. He chose Alternative Service and moved his family to Delaware where he tested milk.

When his Alternative Service was completed, he moved his family, which now included a second daughter, to Manheim, Lancaster County, where he became a technician for Atlantic Breeders. They joined East Fairview Church of the Brethren and were active members serving as Youth Group directors.

In 1959, he moved his family to Lititz PA, and in 1965 they joined Lititz Church of the Brethren where he was a member of the Rose of Sharon Sunday school class and served as a deacon. He also assisted Frances in the kindergarten Sunday school class she taught for 47 years. 

For many years he was district coordinator and a parent host for the Fresh Air Children’s program that hosted children from Baltimore, Maryland. 

Virgil retired from Car Mate Trailers in Leeper, PA, where he was a factory representative. Previously, he was a sales representative for MGS Trailers, produce manager for Stauffers of Kissel Hill, and technician for Atlantic Breeders. 

Family was important to Virgil and for many years he hosted the Ritchey Family, which was a week-long event at Paradise Lake Retreat in Denver, PA. He also loved animals and made sure his daughters had a variety of pets. He and Frances rescued cats, and he enjoyed the company of all his furry grandchildren, both feline and canine.

Virgil enjoyed traveling and visiting European countries, the Caribbean, and Hawaii with Frances. Nora and he traveled to Washington state and Canada and spent many winters in Florida.

He enjoyed pitching horseshoes and playing dominoes, but most of all he enjoyed eating ice cream. He insisted on eating ice cream every day. His favorite flavor from boyhood was Teaberry.

Virgil’s family extends appreciation to the Blue Team of Hospice and Community Care for the excellent care and support provided to him and their family during his illness. Also, a special thank you to his faithful angel, Amanda Richards, who gave him loving care. He looked forward to her daily visits and they shared many a laugh.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carla F., wife of Paul D. Bewley, of Lititz, and Jamie V., wife of G. Richard Bushong, of Manheim; two stepchildren, Ronald, husband of Elta Garber, of New Holland, and Shirley, wife of Ric Joline, of Landisville; seven step grandchildren: Jarred (Annette) Garber, Dustin (Kara) Garber, Ryan Joline, Erica (Andy) Rohrer, Nate (Alena) Joline, Kelli (Matt) Bechtel, Sherri Comp; and 11 step great-grandchildren: Dylan, Jaida, Kylie and Kelsey Garber, Adam and Abigail Rohrer, David, Emma, Hanna and Levi Joline, Caroline Bechtel; as well as a brother, Donald Ritchey of Olympia, WA; and a sister-in-law, Betty Ritchey of Bangor, PA. He was also preceded in death by a stepson, Roger Garber, partner of Marj Burd of Newport; and seven siblings: Elsie Ritchey Stark, Melvin Ritchey, Wilma Ritchey Clark, Paul Ritchey, Harold Ritchey, Alda Ritchey Andrews, and Baby Girl Ritchey. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, along with great and great-great nieces and nephews. He loved being an uncle and was a favorite one to many. He thoroughly enjoyed becoming a grandfather later in life and looked forward to visits from his step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

Services are private. If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to the benevolent fund of Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 West Orange Street, Lititz, PA 17543 or to Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.