THOMAS J. RITCHIE

DEXTER -- Thomas J. Ritchie, 68, of Dexter, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 5, 1926, in Coalhill, Ark., son of John Henry and Consoilar Barber Ritchie. He and Evaline Thurman were married Oct. 11, 1947, at Bloomfield.

Ritchie had lived in Stoddard County since 1939, and formerly lived in Essex. He was retired from Hudson Foods in Dexter, and was a member of Taylor Baptist Church near Essex.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Steve Ritchie of Bernie; three daughters, Sherry Burton of Bloomfield, Sandy Clark and Beverly Cullum of Dexter; five brothers, Dirle Ritchie of Carrollton, Dwayne and Ronald Ritchie of Marshall, Johnny Ritchie Jr. of Pontiac, Mich., Larry Ritchie of Pelion, S.C.; four sisters, Myrtle Gromer of Dexter, Retha Albers and Velma Perrett of Grayling, Mich., Brenda Watson of Shell Knob, and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter after 5 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Maxwell Lewis and Jackie Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Essex Cemetery.