George M. Ritchie, noted VFW member
George M. Ritchie, 90, of Millville, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.
George was born in Concord, N.C., Dec. 9, 1924, to Turner and Rachel (White) Ritchie. Having resided in the Washington, D.C. suburbs for many years, he was a retired grocery store and restaurant owner in the Washington, D.C. area. George served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on the USS Barton DD722 that took the first wave into Normandy, France. He also served on the USS Compton DD705 into Okinawa, Japan.
George was a lifetime member of VFW Mason-Dixon Post 7234 in Ocean View, holding positions such as All American Post Commander in 1994, All American Department Commander from 2002-03, membership committee member for 20 years and Operation Uplink Chairman for eight-plus years, raising in excess of a quarter million dollars. He was also a member of the Ocean City, Md. American Legion Post.
George was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Juanita. He is survived by his daughter, Melva Grabowski of Montclair, Va.; two granddaughters, Jeanine Kinsler and her husband Michael of Millville, and Angie Templeton and her husband Mike of Catharpin, Va.; five great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jenna, and Caden Kinsler, Amaya and Jackson Templeton; a brother, Jim Ritchie and his wife Patricia of Loxahatchee, Fla.; two sisters, Patricia Thompson and her husband Bob of Mercer, Pa., and Marceline Anderson and husband Andy of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his companion of 12 years, Jackie Umstetter.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m., at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, where friends and family may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Interment with military honors will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in George’s memory to The Home of The Brave, 6632 Sharps Road, Milford, DE 19963.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
