Charles “Chuck” A. Ritchie Sr.

September 28, 1941 - December 7, 2016   Charles “Chuck” A. Ritchie Sr., age 75, of Grandville, passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, after a long and exhausting battle with Lewy Body Dementia.   He was a man of kindness - ready to hand you the shirt off his back if it would help you out.  He was a man of few words - but listened to every one of yours.  The few words he did share were more often than not, of encouragement and support.  He was a man with an awesome sense of humor - he could take it as hard as he could dish it out.  He was a man from humble beginnings that served his country and worked hard his whole life.   He has continued helping others, even in death, by having donated his brain to the University of Michigan Brain Bank so that it can be studied and used to possibly help other people with Lewy Body Dementia.   Thanks for the love, the laughs, the adventures, the joy you brought to everyone lucky enough to meet you, and being selfless in your caring and kindness for all those around you, Dad.  A stranger was truly someone you just hadn’t met yet.   Dad, your thoughtfulness made an impact on people.  You touched so many lives unknowingly - with just a kind word or simple act of a smile or a handshake sometimes. Always eager to learn something new from someone and use it to maybe help the next person.   We know heaven heard a resounding “HOOTIE HOO!”, acknowledging you had arrived.   You were the greatest husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, friend that anyone could have ever hoped to have.  Thanks for the memories and making this world a little brighter with the happiness you brought to so many.   We love you to the moon and back XOXO   Chuck proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army.  He was a member of the U.A. Local 190 Pipefitters’ Union. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nellie Arleen Ritchie; brothers, George Ritchie, and Teddy Ritchie; sisters, Frankie E. Lee Ritchie, Rebecca Bowman, and Margie Hardee. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 46 years, Jacki Ritchie; daughters, Cathy Kingma, Cynthia and Gary Dean Ulrich; son, Charles Jr. and Courtney Ritchie; grandchildren, Gary Wayne Jensen III, Charles Alvin Ritchie III, Riley Lucas Kingma, and Samuel Cash Ritchie; sisters, Dorothy Fay Morro, and Patsy Vanetta; brother, James Howard Ritchie.   According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.