Mrs. Myrtle Mae (McCormick) Ritchie, 106.9, of Vevay, Indiana, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior at 9:55 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Swiss Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Vevay, Indiana. She was born October 25, 1909, on a farm on Parks Ridge above Vevay, Indiana. Orphaned at birth; she met her mother for the first time this morning. Clear minded until her last peaceful breath she praised Jesus for the long life He blessed her with. Her words of praise and advice for her longevity will live on both in her poetry and in song. She married Estal Ritchie in 1929 and together they farmed tobacco that grew much higher than she did. She had a love and talent for growing vegetables and flowers. Small in stature, but larger than life itself, she touched the lives of countless people. Her unique personality, charm, independence, and especially her ornery character will never be replaced or forgotten. Ever the example of Faith, she was always praying for her friends, family and the world. Grateful for each new day, she read her Bible with a magnifying glass until she could read no more. If she won a dollar at bingo, she tithed a dime. She longed to be everything God wanted her to be. Myrtle wanted Christ to be seen when you looked at her. Myrtle and Estal moved to Evansville in 1950, where she remained until 2006. Estal passed in 1988 and having had no children, she sat alone in an old house, waiting to pass also. But a chance meeting while they were delivering a Thanksgiving meal in 1995, she met Jeanne and Mark Rohrer. The instant bonding of lives was one of the greatest blessings they all received. Myrtle had a family she called her own with children, grandchildren, holidays, birthday celebrations, and things to look forward to. Her “Evansville family”, as she would say. She remained independent until her 97th birthday. When Myrtle returned to Switzerland County to reside at Swiss Villa, she knew people from the past. Her detailed memory was phenomenal of people, places, and things. Family from her husband’s side grew important to her daily life and she enjoyed being included in their lives, celebrations, and activities. Her Vevay family was by her side through her last days. She also grew very fond of several nurses and staff at Swiss Villa. She stayed active as possible and thoroughly loved the title of “Corn Hole Queen”! Myrtle will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Myrtle will be dearly missed by her friend: Jeanne Rohrer and her husband: Mark and family: John, Jamie, Evan, Dorothy and Lisa; her niece: Betty (Bovard) Griswold and her husband: Bob; her great-nieces and great-nephews: Rosemary Bovard, Teresa (Bovard) Lyons and her husband: Steve, Carla (Bovard) VanNorstran and her husband: Rick, Glenn Bovard and his wife: Kassi, Betty Garland and her husband: Harold, Daniel Morris and his wife: Evelyn, Jeremy Robinson and his wife: Sarah, Caleb Bovard, Elijah VanNorstran and his companion: Brittany Roeschlein, Annie Hicks and her husband: Jason, Raschel Springer and her husband: Cody, Kelsey Carfield and her husband: Dusty, Donnie Braham, Tim Braham, Bernard Ritchie, Carl Porter Ritchie; her special friend: Berta Turner and her several other special friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother: Julia (Dobbs) McCormick and her husband: Estal Ritchie.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, July 22, 2016, at 1:00 pm, by Pastor Bill Madison, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Friends may call 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Friday, July 22, 2016, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Cards are available at the funeral home.