Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Mike is a lifetime resident of Wisconsin Rapids. He is a graduate of Assumption High School, a graduate of U.W. Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in business finance, and a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He joined his father, John Ritchay Sr and brother in the family business in 1985.
Mike serves on the finance committee for the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church and has been very active on various boards, committees and booster clubs for Wisconsin Rapids youth sports, Lincoln High School Athletics and U. W. Stevens Point Men’s Basketball (where sons Vinny and Joe have played). He was inducted into the Assumption Hall of Fame in 2004.
Mike is married to Patti and they are the parents of Vinny (Hannah), Jenny (TJ) and Joe (Hallie). In their free time they enjoy going to Packer games, golfing, and traveling.
Joe is a third generation funeral director at Ritchay Funeral home. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 2011 before getting a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. After graduation he began his apprenticeship at Ritchay Funeral home, until he went to Mortuary school at Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He married his wife, Hallie (A native of Vesper, WI) in 2017 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, and together they have two sons, Barrett, and Brock, and a miniature dachshund, Boris. In his spare time you can find him with his family, golfing, hunting, fishing, and boating up north.
Phil joined the firm in 1999. He is a native of Stevens Point and a graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH). After earning an Accounting degree, Phil graduated from the Milwaukee Area Technical College Mortuary Science Program, and was presented the Edward L. Heidenreich award for Restorative Art and Embalming.
Phil and his wife Paula were married in Wisconsin Rapids. Recently widowed, Phil and his two children Nick and Jacci enjoy the outdoors, camping, fishing, traveling and going to major league sporting events. When not working, Phil enjoys supporting his children at their high school Hockey and Dance Events.
Carly grew up in Vernon Hills, IL a northwest suburb of Chicago. She earned her Bachelors degree in psychology and gerontology from Illinois State University in 2016, and then graduated top in her class from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in September 2017. Carly completed her apprenticeship and was a licensed funeral director at a funeral home in Madison before she moved to Wisconsin Rapids in October 2021.
Carly is also a licensed life insurance agent to assist families with pre-need services.
Carly married Brady Goska in 2019 and together they have a son, Theo; daughter, Georgia; and two dogs, Rookie and Buster. In her spare time she enjoys running, golfing, shopping and spending time with her family.
Payton was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin. She graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 2021 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology then attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science where she graduated in March of 2022. In her spare time you will find her with her friends, family, or her dog, Mabel. She especially loves to be out on the boat listening to country music.
Christine was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids and graduated from Lincoln High in 2011. She then continued her education at Viterbo University, in La Crosse where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry and gerontology. She returned to her alma mater and was an assistant girls’ basketball coach for many years. In Christine’s spare time she enjoys traveling, golfing, hunting, playing softball and basketball.
Following in his father Richard's footsteps, Tim joined the staff at Ritchay's in 2017, shortly after retiring from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as an Engineering Specialist. Tim recently completed the necessary training and educational requirements to become an apprentice funeral director and is proud to be a part of the Ritchay Family's tradition of providing excellent personalized service to other families in the community.
Tim and his wife Joan, both Wisconsin Rapids natives, have two grown sons and continue to live in the Wisconsin Rapids area. In his free moments, Tim enjoys spending time with his four grandchildren along with woodworking, auto mechanics, gardening, fishing and hunting.
Ali is a lifetime resident of Wisconsin Rapids. She graduated from Lincoln High School and then Mid-State Technical College with a Cosmetology Degree. Along with working as the hairstylist for the firm she also is an independent stylist. Ali and her husband Shawn have four children who keep them very busy and involved in the community.
