Von J Ritchie

Von J Ritchie passed away in his home on April 9, 2025, at age 90.

Von was born December 6, 1934, to his parents: Clifford W. Ritchie and Zina Craner. He was the third of seven children: Kay (Jean), Reta, Verl (RoseAnn), Ila (Jim), Ann, and Neal (Theresa). He loved his family deeply and looked forward to any time spent with his siblings. The yearly Ritchie reunion was always a cherished time. He grew up working hard, playing hard, loving life and his Mom's banana bread. He graduated from Heber High School where he was very active in student council and many sports teams where he made life-long friendships.

He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in the East Central States Mission. When he returned, he continued his education by attending Snow College, BYU, and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in education from Utah State University. Years later he received a Master’s degree from Weber State College.

While attending Utah State he met the love of his life, our Mom, Judy Marion Hendrickson. They were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on March 16, 1961. They have four children: Ken (Joylene Bond), Cindy (Bob Payne), Sandy (Stewart Nielson), and their cherished and selfless caregiver daughter, Paula Jo. They have 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Professionally, Von worked as a high school teacher for 20 years at Box Elder High School and then 15 years at Bear River High School. To Von, the world had two groups of people: 1) friends he knew—many because he had taught them in high school and 2) new friends he was excited to meet. He loved people.

He also used many of his handyman skills to help support his family. He became a house flipper before it was a thing. Von and Judy worked together each using their skills and talents. Part of his legacy is the value of hard work, making it work (sometimes with duct tape), and that you can fix most things if you try hard enough.

Von's hobbies included temple work and all things cars! He loved refurbishing old cars with several “car friends” while his health permitted. It was a love he shared with his son as they spent countless hours working together. Over many years, together they built a shop, painted and restored cars, and participated in old car shows.

He is survived by many people who love him and will miss him dearly.

As Dad liked to say, quoting Zig Ziglar “I’LL SEE YOU AT THE TOP!”

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Noon with a viewing held prior from 10-11:30 A.M. All services will be held at the Honeyville LDS Church. Interment will take place in the Honeyville Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and can be found below.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.