Merrill D. Ritchie, 82, of Osgood passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Margaret Mary Health in Batesville. Merrill was born on Monday, March 15, 1943, in Brinkley, Kentucky; son of Johnnie and Rozella (Ritchie) Ritchie. Merrill married the love of his life, Linda (Westerman) Ritchie, on August 22, 1964, and she preceded him in death on March 31, 2016. Merrill served in the United States Army and owned an appliance repair business. He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering on cars, and watching NASCAR. He also enjoyed watching western shows and reading western books. Most of all Merrill loved his family.
Merrill will be missed by his son Dennis (Julie) Ritchie of Indianapolis; daughters Michelle Koch of Albany, KY, Kimberly (Frank) McCane of Hanover, and Bettie (Mike) Smith of Madison; father Johnnie Ritchie of Stanton, KY; brothers Randall (Jody) Ritchie of Stanton, KY and Charlie (Sandy) Ritchie of Stanton, KY; grandchildren Tommi, Christopher, Erika, Brittany (Brandon), Jeffrey, Kristen, Emily, Amanda (Dave), Trey, Tanner, and Matthew; and great-grandchildren Rylee, MaKaelynn, Caleb, Brandon, Allison, Weston, Cooper, Ryu, Katelynn, Marzana, Ares, Shawna, Lydia, and Harrison.
Merrill was preceded in death by his mother Rozella Ritchie; wife Linda Ritchie; sisters Donneta, Sherry, and Lisa; and brothers Leon, Sherbert, and Tim.
Family and friends may gather in remembering Merrill from 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM, Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan. Services will follow at 12:00 PM with Julie Ritchie officiating. Burial will follow at Greendale Cemetery in Osgood, Indiana with military rites provided by Milan American Legion Post #235. Memorials may be given in honor of Merrill to Ripley County EMS.
Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: 707 S. Main St., PO Box 243, Milan, IN 47031; (812) 654-2141. Please visit our website at www.lawscarrmoore.com to share your condolences and memories of Merrill.