Francis W. “Frank” Ritchie, 85, of Peru, IN, passed away at 5:10PM, Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Lutheran Hospital, Ft Wayne, IN. He was born in Lafayette. IN, June 13, 1939, the son of Raymond and Eloise Mennen Ritchie. Frank married Yvonne Sparks in Peru on May 5, 1969, and she preceded him in death on May 4, 2009. Frank was a 1957 graduate of Chalmers High School and a US Air Force veteran. He was employed by Kofabco and a partner in Classico of Peru. Frank was a member of the Literary Aid and the Eagles. Frank was an avid fan of all sports, especially Purdue, and loved working in his barn and driving his John Deere. He was a master craftsman and could build literally ANYTHING! Throughout his life Frank demonstrated his compassion and gentleness to everyone he met. No one was a stranger and he greeted everyone with a smile and a hug or handshake. He was the patriarch of the family-the rock upon which everyone could rely. Frank is survived by his children, Robin Meacham of Lafayette, Shannon Werner and her husband, Jeff, of Phoenix, AZ, Tammy Brannum and her husband, Mitchell, of Peru, Tonya Young and her husband, Shawn, of Peru, Leslie Wikstrom of Peru, Scott Ritchie of Peru, and Brandon Ritchie of Fort Wayne; stepsons, Thomas and Steve Cox, both of Peru; siblings, Eugene “Gene” Ritchie and his wife, Sunny, of Kentland, Kenneth “Jerry” Ritchie of Mt. Grove, Missouri, and Judy Bean of Crawfordsville; 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne, a son, Wayne Ritchie, his parents, Raymond and Eloise Ritchie, a sister, Vivian Reel, and a brother, David Ritchie. A service celebrating the life of Frank Ritchie will be held at 1:30PM, Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 West Main Street, Peru, with Pastor Rod Correll officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Miami County Military Rites Unit. Visitation will be from 5PM to 8PM, Friday, September 6, 2024 at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home.