John E. Ritchie

John Edgar Ritchie, 85, went to be with the Lord on May 23, 2026. Born on August 21, 1940, he spent the majority of his life in Amanda, Ohio as a hard working farmer, rancher, husband, father, and grandfather.

John graduated from Amanda-Clearcreek High School in 1958, where he met the love of his life, Judy, and married her almost two years later on February 21, 1960. Together with their passion for farming, they raised cattle and many other farm animals on his original homestead. In 1975, he bought a breath-taking piece of land with a pond he used to fish in and lived there until the end of his days. It was here that he expanded J.R. Farms, continuing his cattle operation and more. John loved to travel around the country to attend as many cattle sales as he could. In recent years, he continued his beloved cattle operation and helped his son tend to Hitching Post Ranch, an event venue on the very same land. As the patriarch of the family, he worked hard and loved harder, cherishing his family and friends, often having a smile on his face and a dog on his lap.

John lives on in the hearts of his sister, Norma Gray, his wife, Judy McKenzie Ritchie, his son and daughter-in-law, Mick and Lisa Ritchie, his son-in-law Karl Elder, and his grandchildren, Raybecca, Aubrey, and Johnny Elder, Tyler Ritchie, Kassidy Camilleri and Samantha Jernstrom, as well as his nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Glenna, his brother, Donald "Donnie" Ritchie, his half-sisters, Marjorie "Margie" Fosnaugh and Jean Kern, and his daughter, Peggy Elder.

In lieu of a funeral, there will be a celebration of life at Hitching Post Ranch, 4904 Hamburg Rd SW, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, on Sunday, June 7th at 2:00pm. All who knew him are welcome to attend, share stories, and celebrate his wonderful life with friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial contributions to Fairhope Hospice, 282 Sells Road, Lancaster, OH 43130 or Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County, Attention: Anna Tobin, 1515 Cedar Hill Road, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.

Arrangements in the care of Taylor-Theller Funeral Home, Amanda.