Howard B. Ritchey

Howard B. Ritchey, age 80, of Greencastle, PA, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2020, at his home. Born July 22, 1940, in Rochester, PA and raised in Freedom, PA, he was the son of the late Howard B. Sr. and Helen McCaw Ritchey.

Howard was a 1958 graduate of Freedom Area High School, where he played football, and scrimmaged against Joe Namath, who played for a neighboring high school. After graduation he went on to work for Pittsburgh Tube Company for 11 years before going to Beaver County Community College. In 1971, Howard graduated from the California University of PA, with a B.S. degree in education. Howard taught Industrial Arts in the Greencastle-Antrim School District for three years, before pursuing a career in outside sales for a number of companies, including Snap-On Tools and Curtis Industries. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greencastle, where he served on church council and various committees. Howard was a President of his local homeowners association. He enjoyed trains, collecting coins, volunteering for the Boy Scouts, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Merle A. Ritchey, whom he married on June 18, 1966; three children, Todd D. Ritchey (wife Kathleen) of Hamilton, VA, Susan R. Bailey (husband Eric) of Republic, MO, and Scott A. Ritchey (wife Erin) of Clearbrook, VA; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Helen J. Bryan of New Brighton, PA; sister-in-law, Jan Schueler of Canton, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 11 AM at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Greencastle, PA, where Rev. Martin Horn will officiate. The family will receive friends on a controlled basis consistent with state and CDC guidelines on Thursday, September 3, 2020, from 6-8 PM at the Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Inc., 45 S. Carlisle St., Greencastle, PA 17225. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Evangelical Lutheran Church Benevolent Fund, 130 N. Washington St., Greencastle, PA 17225 or to the American Cancer Society, 120 W. Antietam St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.

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