The Rev. Gillie Earl Ritchey, 79, of McAlester, died Sunday, July 17, 2016, in McAlester. He was born to Fred A. and Ada (Williams) Ritchey on September 8, 1936, in Ulan. He was raised in Carbon and McAlester. Earl married Ruby Mae Roberts on May 5, 1959, in Broken Arrow. He worked as a floor covering contractor for many years. He served as a minister for 63 years. He started preaching at revivals in his younger years and then pastored churches in Moss Point, Mississippi, Checotah, Chockie, Marlow, Blue and then Faith Tabernacle Church in McAlester, where he retired after 32 years due to health reasons. Earl was an avid gardener, loved fishing, and being with his granddaughter. He enjoyed providing for his family but, most of all, he loved the Lord and reaching the lost by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Mae, of the home; daughters, Sheila Ritchey, Elizabeth Collins and husband, Lyndell, and Rita Ritchey; granddaughter, Lauren Collins, of McAlester; sisters, Evelyn Rippee, Rosetta Bargas and husband, Gene, all of McAlester, and several brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Fred A. and Ada Ritchey; sister, Dorothea Scott, and brothers-in-law, Everett Scott and Ronald Rippee. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Northside Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Dan Roberts, the Rev. J.D. Smith, the Rev. Brian Smith and Rita Ritchey officiating. Interment will follow at North Town Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory of McAlester. Pallbearers will be Lyndell Collins, Dewayne Rippee, Kevin Bargas, Roger Wilson, Danny Ray Roberts and Dennis McCatch. Honorary pallbearers will be David Blythe, Lafe Rogers, Dean Collins, Nick Arnold, Tryston Stanfield and Gene Bargas.