Ratcliff, Donald Robert (1921-1978)

RATCLIFF, HUISINGA, BOHY, SINN, BIGE, BRUNOW, HILL

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 9/15/2023 at 16:46:26

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Monday, August 21, 1978

Donald (Shorty) Ratcliff, 57, longtime Webster City and Woolstock resident, died Friday at the Mary Greeley hospital in Ames where he had been a patient for three weeks. He had been in ill health for three years.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Monday at the Foster Funeral home with the Rev. Paul D. Williamson officiating with burial in Graceland cemetery. Military flag-folding services were held at graveside by the Woolstock American Legion Post 553.

Donald Robert Ratcliff, son of Charlie and Bertha Huisinga Ratcliff, was born July 15, 1921 in Webster City. He was reared and educated in the Woolstock area.

He was united in marriage Oct. 9, 1943 to Mavis Bohy. He entered the U.S. Army, serving in the European theatre. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal while serving in France. Following his discharge, he returned to this area in 1945 and farmed in the Woolstock vicinity for several years.

In 1970, the family moved to Webster City where he engaged in sales work in farm oriented products.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. James (Judy) Sinn and Carol Ratcliff, both of Webster City; two grandchildren, Trent and Tangela Sinn; two brothers and three sisters, John and Jake Ratcliff, both of Webster City, Mrs. Martin (Ida) Bige of Webster City, Mrs. Peter (Leona) Brunow of Seal Beach, Calif., and Mrs. William (Betty) Hill of Fort Dodge, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, who died in infancy; by his parents and one brother.

He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist church, the American Legion post of Woolstock; the VFW and the Moose Lodge.