Gene H. Ritchie

Gene H. Ritchie, 78, of Greenwood, In. passed away to his lord and savior on March 9th, 2025 following an illness
diagnosed late during 2023.
Gene was born in Danville, Illinois, the son of James Jr. and Helen Burris Ritchie. Gene was married to Sharon Chambliss for eight years during which time three children were born. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in his late twenties. Gene married Peggy C. (Mayfield) Kriech in 1992 who survives.
Other survivors include one son Shane E. (Tracy) Ritchie of Attica, In; two daughters: Shannon A. (Dwayne) Hughes of Plainfield, IL, Amber D. (Dean) Hughes of Chesterfield, MO., and two sons by marriage: Aaron (Lisa) Kriech of Greenwood, IN and Andrew (Kim) Kriech of Columbus, OH. Ten grandchildren also survive: Zachary Hughes, Tyler (Alexis) Ritchie, McKenzie (Ryan) Lewin, Wyatt Hughes, Mya Hughes, Blake (Kendra) Hughes, Jacob Kriech, Haley Kriech, Maya Kriech, Evan Kriech; in addition to seven great grandchildren: Koa Weller, Eli Lewin, Emma Lewin, Lennon Hughes, Theo Hughes, Nolan Tyler Ritchie and Elliana Rose Kriech; and three nephews; Rick Brown of Catlin, IL, Randy Brown of Murfreesboro, TN and Doctor Scott Ritchie of Danville, and two nieces; Angie (Mike) Hayes of Danville, IL and Lisa (Tom) Harris of Dufur, Oregon.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings: Sandra Sue Brown of Catlin, IL and Merlyn "Buzz" Ritchie also of Catlin, IL and a great nephew: Joshua Lee Shepherd.
Gene was raised in Catlin, IL. and was a veteran of the United States Naval Reserve. He worked as management at the General Motors Foundry in Tilton, IL for 32 years and retired in 1996 to start a second career with Waupaca Foundry Inc. to assist in designing, constructing and starting up a new green field foundry to be built just outside Tell City, IN. He worked there as Superintendent for 12 years before retiring in 2008. This high tech foundry quickly grew to be the largest foundry in the world by the time Gene retired. He was considered to be an expert in his field by the American Foundry Society (AFS). He frequently was a featured speaker at most of the "AFS" events being held around the United States every year.
Upon retiring the second time, Gene started his Melt/Metallurgical consulting company which took him to several parts of the world. Gene was the recipient of many honors and awards relating to his work and additionally, his service to the communities in which he worked and resided. He twice was the recipient of the prestigious "General Motors Award of Excellence" for community activities. In past years Gene solely designed and helped supervise the construction of the Kingman Indiana Community Church. He also originated the 5013C nonprofit organization named "The Perry County Indiana Animal Shelter", and then formed the board of Directors solely made up of local public officials and civic leaders. Gene was an integral part of fund raising to construct a "state of the art" animal shelter. He then designed and assisted in.constructing the "Perry County Animal Shelter".
He loved, was very proud and protective of his family. Gene took up the game of golf at the age of seventy three years of age. He was blessed with meeting a lot of fine people on the golf courses during the next few years.
Visitation will be on March 15, 2025 from 10:00am - 2:30pm at G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, 1605 S. St. Rd. 135, Greenwood, Indiana, with the funeral service at 2:30pm. He will be laid to rest at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery.