Joe M. Ritchal

Joe M. Ritchal, 85, of Edna, and longtime resident of McCune, passed away at 1:20 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Parsons Good Samaritan Society. He was born March 22, 1930 in Davis, Oklahoma to Jess Max and Mildred Ethel (White) Ritchal. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Pleasanton, Kansas where he attended school and was a 1947 graduate of Pleasanton High School.  Joe served in the United States Air Force from June of 1947 through June of 1950. On March 28, 1951, he and Helen Strobel were married in Newkirk, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death in 1991. Through the years, he worked as an electrician at Boeing in Wichita, the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons, and the BF Goodrich plant in Miami, Oklahoma until retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Mirza Shriners in Pittsburg, and the Parsons Masonic Lodge No. 117, A.F. & A.M. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, reading, and working crossword puzzles. Survivors include: Two Sons – Owen Ritchal and wife, Donna McCune, KS Frank Ritchal and wife, Elaine McCune, KS One Daughter – Theresa "Terry" Wilson and husband, Ron Water Valley, KY Six Grandchildren Ten Great-Grandchildren His Best Friend – Ann Gerdes Edna, KS Twin Sister – Floe Stanley Norwich, KS In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Floyd "Red" Ritchal, in 1990; two sisters, Lorraine Meade and Elra 'Skip" Small, and one great-granddaughter, Zoe MaeLe Ritchal. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2015 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in McCune Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Mirza Shrine Transportation Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe M. Ritchal, please visit our flower store.