Obituary of James Rudolph Ratliff

Funeral services for James Rudolph Ratliff of Winfield, MO, will be held at noon Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Rev. Paul Garven, pastor of the Elsberry United Methodist Church in Elsberry, MO, will officiate with burial in New Salem Cemetery in Winfield. Mr. Ratliff, 77, passed away late Sunday evening, December 21, 2008 at his home in Winfield, MO. Born November 18, 1931, he was the son of Robie and Loudie Ratliff. He worked for several years as a painter for General Motors, retiring in 1989. He was preceded in death by his parents: Robie and Loudie Ratliff; one son, Jimmy Ray Ratliff; and one grandson, Justin Alexander Suddarth. Mr. Ratliff is survived by three sons: Billy Ratliff of Winfield, Bobby Ratliff and his wife, Terry, of Winfield, and Bruce Ratliff and his wife, Georgia, of O'Fallon, MO; one daughter, Janie Cohoon and her husband, Jeff, of Elsberry; seven stepsons: Donnie Dillard of Winfield, Ricky Dillard of Winfield, Donnie Sanford, Burley Sanford, Lester Sanford, Reileh Sanford, and Buster Sanford all of Doniphan, MO; one stepdaughter, Cheryl Rackley and her husband, Roger, of Winfield; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also leaves Frances Egler, his former wife, friend, and mother of his children; his long time companion, Lois Altman of Winfield; two brothers: Gene Ratliff of CA, and Dennis Ratliff of Granite City, IL; two sisters: Olene and Geraldene; several cousins, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com .