from the Fillmore County, Nebraska, newspaper

Final Rites For Mrs. James Ritchey Fillmore Native

Baina Melcena Cellan, the youngest child of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Hubbartt Cellan, was born near Ohiowa, Nebraska, August 7, 1886.  She received her education in the schools of Fillmore County and graduated from District No. 13.

She chose James Eben Ritchey as her life’s companion and they were united in marriage in Geneva, Nebraska, October 11, 1906.  Together they shared the joys and sorrows of life for 59 years.  Their greatest joy was their four children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  Her daily devotion and concern for her family is a precious memory to all of them.

The four children who came to bless this home are Mildred Beryl Talkington of Inavale, Rouene Winifred Pittard of Geneva, Donald Raymond Ritchey, Fort Worth, Texas, and Evelyn Marguerite Neubaum, Oakdale, California.

The 16 grandchildren who mourn the loss of a grandmother are Ardell, Mildred, Joyce, Eldon, Dale and Donna Lee Talkington, Roger Pittard, Joan Schelkopf, John, James, Charles, Linda, Paul, Mary Ann and Lisa Ritchey, Sharon and Stephen Neubaum.  Her great-grandchildren are Cathy, Kent and Mark Pittard, James Archie and Rebecca Talkington, Jan and John Schelkopf.

Mrs. Ritchey was always working and planning to do something to make the grandchildren happy.  She was always happy to have them come to her home.  No task was a burden to her if it was for her loved ones – it was a delight.  She loved to work with her flowers and garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Charles Cellan, and a sister, Mabel Smith.

After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage on the morning of October 23, 1965, she laid down the cares and trials of earth and entered her eternal home at noon the same day.  Her work is done and well done.

She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren church, the North Side Club and the Sunset Club of Fairmont.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, children and grandchildren, her daughter-in-law, Marie Ritchey, three sons-in-law, Clarence Talkington, John Pittard and Edgar Neubaum; three sisters-in-law, Ella Cellan, Ora Peters and Edith Ritchey, and one brother-in-law, Frank Ritchey, also a number of nieces, nephews, several cousins and a large circle of friends.

Funeral services were held in the Kritner-Farmer Funeral Home in Geneva at 2 p.m. October 26 in charge of Rev. Maude Mann, assisted by Rev. Leonard Hartwig.  The text read in tribute to the deceased was Proverbs 31:10-31.  “Abide With Me,” “Beyond the Sunset,” and “God Be With You Until We Meet Again” were sung by Mrs. H. A. Rosenau, accompanied by Mrs. Willard Foster.  Casketbearers were Edgar Neubaum, John Pittard, Roger Pittard, Joe Schelkopf, Frank Ritchey and Clarence Talkington.  Her body was laid to rest in the Geneva cemetery.