Michael Mike J. Ritchie, Sr.

Obituary: Michael "Mike" J. Ritchie, Sr. age 60, of China Grove died Friday, January 21, 2011 at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, January 23 in Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joseph B. Harding and Rev. Bobby Sutherland officiating. Burial with Masonic Graveside Rites will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, China Grove. The family will receive friends at Whitley's Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday, January 22, at other times they will be at the family home. Mike was born October 5, 1950 in Cabarrus Co. the son of the late Rosel Ritchie and Mrs. Evelyn Laidlaw of Kannapolis. He was a lifelong area resident, educated in Kannapolis City Schools and graduating from A. L. Brown High School in 1968. Mike was a member of Mt. Zion United Church of Christ and Allen-Graham Masonic Lodge # 626, Scottish Rite Bodies, Oasis Temple of Charlotte and Rowan Shrine Club. Mike was Past Governor of the Kannapolis Moose Lodge and was a member and past officer of the VFW Post 8989 Men's Auxiliary of Kannapolis. He retired from Invista/ Fiber Industries in 2004 with over 30 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Darlene Barrow Ritchie of the home, his daughter, Karen Ritchie and son, Michael Ritchie, Jr., both of Kannapolis. Also surviving are 2 grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jacob Ritchie and 2 half-brothers, Eric Laidlaw (Jeannie) of Concord and Aaron Laidlaw (Diane) of Kannapolis. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial donations may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605
Visitation: 6-8:00 PM Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011 at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 PM Sunday, Jan. 23 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel

Interment: Greenlawn, China Grove