Gordon Ritchie

Gordon 'Gordie' C. Ritchie, age 92, of Montello, passed away peacefully at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King, WI on Thursday, July 1, 2010. Born in Montello on April 1, 1918, Gordie was the only child of Alexander and Evelyn (Manthey) Ritchie. After his mother's early death in 1919, his father married Marie Eichinger who helped raise Gordie from infancy until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He served in the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade in the 543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment Company in World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during a battle on the beaches of Mindanao in New Guinea during an amphibious landing assault in 1944. Honorably discharged in 1945, Gordie served as an officer in the WI Purple Heart Organization. Gordie married Myrtle Mewis in Montello, on June 26, 1950, and had a daughter, Nancy in 1953. Following Myrtle's death, Gordie married Ethel Laing, who died in 1999. Gordie is survived by his daughter Nancy (Lee) Okimoto and his three grandchildren: Gary, Janice, and Kevin all of Mililani, Hawaii. Gordie is also survived by his third wife, Frieda (Beutler) Ritchie of Montello, as well as first cousins: Douglas Ritchie, Marana, AZ, Joan Smith, Appleton, WI, Donna Colton, WI, Jack Piper and Barbara Byerly both of Illinois. He is further survived by his Aunt Edna Ritchie of Montello, many nieces, nephews, step children and many dear friends. He will be greatly missed. As the proud owner of Montello's Davis House for many years, Gordie made many friends and continuously gave back to his community. He was a past President of the Marquette County Tavern League & Snowmobile Association, American Legion Post 351 & the Montello Lions Club. In recognition of his service with the Lions Eye Bank, Gordie received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Trinity United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Sue Bryce officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Inurnment will follow the service with full military honors at the Montello City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to the Montello Lions Club.

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Memorial Service
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Burial
Tuesday, July 6, 2010