Sunny Dee (Nesius) Ritchie, age 86 of Kentland IN died at 2:00 pm on May 3", 2025 at George Ade Memorial Health Care in Brook IN, after battling dementia for several years. She was born on December 30, 1938 in Rensselaer IN to Raymond M Nesius and Alice Troxel Nesius Schuh. She graduated from Chalmers High School in 1957.

While raising 5 children, Sunny pursued furthering her education and went on to study psychology at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN graduating with magna cum laude honors in 1978. In 1983 Sunny completed her masters degree of Science at Purdue University, Lafayette IN.

Sunny was raised on a farm outside of Chalmers IN until her marriage to her first, last and only love, Raymond Eugene (Gene) Ritchie on April 19, 1958 in Reynolds IN, he survives. Sunny made her home in Monticello IN where the first 3 of her five children were born and then moved to Kentland IN where her family was complete and lived until her death.

She was a member of the Kentland JR Women's Club and Prairie Writers Guild. Sunny's love of writing was awarded with several publishing's. Over the years she wore many hats besides being a wonderful mother of 5 very active children such as dental assistant, ASCS office, CDC Department, Jasper Newton Mental Health Clinic and Newton County Drug Coalition. 45 years of dedicated service as a Marriage & Family therapist not only working at the Alpine Clinic in Lafayette IN but a private practice out of her home.

Sunny loved spending time with her family & friends but also reading, writing, gardening, hiking, antiquing and spending time at Lake Leelanau in Michigan.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Gene, son, Dennis Ritchie (wife Carol), 3 daughters, Teresa Beever (husband Reid), Caprice Murphy, Marcella Ritchie and son-in-law, Arthur Hayes. Sisters, Lyna (Nesius) Norris and Rita (Schuh) Millhouse. Also 15 grandchildren, Rachel (Ritchie) Madison, Ryan Ritchie (Kyra), Riley Ritchie (Jessica), Matthew Beever (Sarah), Lacey Sanders (Skylar), Dannielle Ellis (Curt), Dustin Standish (Andrea, Dane Standish (Steffanie), Kellen Murphy, Macklan Hayes (Amber), Spencer Hayes, Trevor Hayes, Libby Hayes, Gage Engleking (Brittany) and Jaci Engleking. Great Grandmother of 26, Johnon, Julius, Ruby, Josiah, Eleanor, Azalia, Khylie, Kenzyee, Killian, Benjamin, Brooke, Brynlee, Jillian, Aubrey, Mackenzi, Kayden, Korbin, Chase, Camryn, Alexxys, Addysen, Alyssa, Everly, Hayden, Silas and Addalyn.

She is proceeded in death by her daughter, Amy E. (Ritchie) Hayes, parents Raymond & Alice Nesius, brother Rodney Nesius, and in-laws Raymond & Eloise Ritchie, Step-father Darrel Schuh.

Friends may call 1:00 - 4:00 pm (cst) on Friday, May 9th with funeral service to follow at the Stitz-Clapper Funeral Home located at 214 East Washington St, Kentland IN 47951.

Memorials made be made to: Aubrey's Angels Foundation, PO Box 213, Brook IN 47922 or Autism Society of America, 6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 305, Rockville Maryland, 20852.