Donald A Ritchie

Born April 11, 1915 in Toulon to Charles and Charlotte (Hallowell) Ritchie, he married Margaret Helen Mattocks on April 5, 1947 in Pekin.  She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Pamela (Greg) Scoles of Pekin, Debra (Scot) Borton of Delavan, and Donna (Jeff) Rademaker of Pekin; ten grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son (Thomas Charles Ritchie), two brothers (Maynard Ritchie and Harold “Hal” Ritchie), and two sisters (Lydia Gullon and Velma Guile)

He was a 1933 graduate of Pekin Community High School.

A United States Army veteran of World War II, he served from June 2, 1942 to December 5, 1945.  He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He was awarded two Bronze Stars.

Don worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 11 years, retiring June 1, 1979 as a painter in the maintenance department at the Mapleton plant.  Previously he was a painter for Fox Valley Painting Company in Peoria and later worked for Pekin Community High School as a maintenance worker at West Campus.  He also had been a self-employed painter.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin.

Don enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin, where visitation will be one hour before the funeral.  The Rev. Michael McLeod will officiate.  Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 921 Caroline Street, Pekin, IL 61554.