Funeral services for Clarence U. Ritchard, 65, of Decatur, Illinois were held at the Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Decatur.

Mr. Ritchard was dead on arrival at St. Mary’s Hospital on Friday, February 2, 1962. He apparently suffered a heart attack while driving in the 900 block of W. Decatur Street. Identification was made by Coroner Phares G. Thompson. Police said witnesses told them Mr. Ritchard was driving on West Decatur Street when his car went out of control and rammed several parked cars.

Thompson said first identification of Mr. Ritchard was made through the license on his car. He was carrying no personal identification at the time of the accident.

Mr. Ritchard had lived in Decatur since 1918. He married Carrie Cole December 10, 1918 in Decatur. She died April 24, 1959.

He retired two years ago as a general contractor and was a member of First Evangelical United Brethren Church and a World War I veteran.

He was born May 10, 1896 to George U. and Amanda (Stivers) Ritchard, near Olney.

Survivers include two sons, Lt. Col. Leonard H. Ritchard who is stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany with the Air Corps and Clarence (Dick) Ritchard of Decatur; a brother, Bernard of Decatur; three sisters, Mrs. Joe (Bessie) Ray of Monroe, LA and Mrs. Tilden (Mabel) Hammond and Mrs. Jess (Pansy) Queen, both of Hammond, IN and five grandchildren.

The Decatur Daily Review (IL) – Saturday, February 3, 1962