RATCLIFF, J. Rudolph "Rudy"
J. Rudolph "Rudy" Ratcliff
Source: Found in a collection of old obituaries saved by Mary Jo Johnson, found in Crawfordsville District Public Library. We appreciate Mary Jo's willingness to share these. (Used with permission)
(Handwritten in is: 1973-2-16. )
J. Rudolph "Rudy" Ratcliff, 67, of Marengo, Ill., a former Crawfordsville resident, died at 7 a. m. Friday in Highland Hospital at Belvedere, Ill., after an illness of several months.
Mr. Ratcliff was chairman of the board of Ratcliff Industries, Inc., of Juneau, Wis., manufacturers of Towlow Trailers.
He was director of Marengo State Bank for 29 years, a member of the Marengo Elementary School Board and a member and elder of the Marengo Presbyterian Church.
He was a 1924 graduate of Crawfordsville High School, moving a year later to Marengo, where he resided the rest of his life.
A native of Russellville, he was born Oct. 31, 1905, a son of John G. and Ella Clodfelter Ratcliff.
On Dec. 26, 1929, he was married at Marengo to Mable McKee, who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Joseph S (Darlene) FrinKnights of Pythiaslainfield, Ill.; three sons, John of Beaver Falls, Wis., Roger of Los Angeles and Rodney of New York City; four sisters, Mrs. Waunetta McGaughey, Mrs. Caroline Tilney and Mrs. Christina Gegner, all of Crawfordsville, and Mrs. Dulcina Akin of North Vernon; three brothers, Cline of' Bainbridge, Milbert of Crawfordsville and John of Russellville, and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son and a brother.
Services will be conducted at 2 p. m. Sunday at the Marengo Presbyterian Church, with Rev. L. K. Loffelmacher officiating. Burial will be in Marengo City Cemetery.
Memorials have been established by the family for the Marengo Rescue Squad, Marengo Presbyterian Church and the American Cancer Society.