Daniel ‘Dan’ J. Ritchie Jr.

He was born on Feb. 20, 1989, in Escanaba, Mich., son of Daniel J. and Gidget (Emery) Ritchie Sr. Dan was raised and spent his youth in Hannahville. He received his diploma from Nah Tah Wahsh Public School, his associate’s degree from Fayetteville Technical College, and his bachelor’s degree from Park University. Dan was working on his master’s degree from SANS Academy at the time of his passing.

Dan joined the United States Army in 2007 right after high school. He served with the 3rd SF Group (2008-2016), 1st SFC (A) (2016) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and SOCPAC SOJ6 (2016-2018) at Camp Smith, Hawaii. He was honored with an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar.

His special interests included computers, playing Counterstrike Global and Divinty with his oldest daughter. He enjoyed watching YouTube videos on camper traveling. Dan enjoyed hiking, traveling in the camper, hanging out with his friends and watching the Green Bay Packers. The moments he cherished the most were taking his girls to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the MSU basketball games and going on long bike rides with his youngest daughter. He loved his cat Silvia and taking naps with her and hanging out with his dog Liam “The Lion”. Dan was a loving father who will continue to live on through his kids, friends, and family.

Survivors include his mother, Gidget (Dolly, Bear) Ritchie of Hannahville, Mich.; his wife, Katie Ritchie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; children, Kendra (11) and Kaylin (8) Ritchie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; siblings, Bradley Sagataw, Maxwell Ritchie of Hannahville, Mich., Natasha Silver of Ishpeming, Mich., and Rose Ritchie of Escanaba, Mich.: nieces and nephews, Aiden and Kayla Sagataw, and Lily Ritchie. His grandmother Noreena Meshigaud and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel J. Ritchie Sr.; his niece, Laelah Mae Meshigaud-Sagataw; his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Lillian Migwanabe, and maternal grandparents Ronald Emery and Margaret MCart. He is also preceded in death by several of his military brothers whom he missed everyday and his cat Bonnie (Bon-Bon).

Private funeral services with military rights will be held at the convenience of the family.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family at the website crawfordfuneralhomes.net.