RATCLIFF, Ethel: Died 1981

RATCLIFF, JAMESON, POTTS, ARFMANN, WILLIAMS, SNAKENBURG

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 6/21/2021 at 06:06:23

**Handwritten: Rec-Rep. 21 May 1981

ETHEL RATCLIFF

Ethel Ratcliff, daughter of Frank and Hester Jameson Potts, was born July 26, 1899 at Green Castle, Missouri, and departed this life Friday, May 15, 1981, at her home in Blakesburg, Iowa, at the age of 81.

On November 16, 1920, she married Dale Ratcliff at Ottumwa. They lived in the Douds community and operated Ratcliff Coal Company for many years. Mr. Ratcliff died in 1962. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Floyd Potts.

Remaining to cherish her memory are her son, Maurice and his wife Mary, of Fulton, Ill.; two daughters, Shirley Arfmann and her husband Walter, of Kemmerer, Wy., and Marilyn Williams and her husband Rollin, of Blakesburg; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Margaret Snakenburg of Eldon, other relatvies and friends.

After selling her farm home near Douds, she lived in Fairfield until moving to Blakesburg's Sunset Manor Apartments in 1979.

She joined the Methodist Church at an early age, became a Pythian Sister in Douds Temple in 1920 and while living in Fairfield was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.

She will be remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother, a good neighbor and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 18, 1981, at 1:30 p.m. at Pedrick Funeral Home in Douds, with Rev. David Anderson of the Blakesburg United Methodist Church officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Morrow, Max Williams, Ray Carter and Wesley Greene. Active bearers were Frank and Ralph Caves, Keith A. Smith, James Dick, Frank Hootman and James Greenfield. Interment was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, north of Douds. Memorials were established for the Heart Fund and the Lung Association.

Source: "Scrapbook 1981 - 1985", Pg. 21, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA