Oscar Vernon Ratcliff

Oscar Vernon Ratcliff, age 92, of Lake Station, Indiana passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021. Oscar was born May 20, 1929 to the late James R. and Edna J. (Hurt) Ratcliff in Maybeury, West Virginia.

After graduating from High School, Oscar entered the United States Army at the age of 18, on September 7, 1949. He served his country honorably while serving in the Korean War, until his discharge on July 17, 1952. He met Margaret Gunter in Pocahontas, West Virginia and, after a few months of dating, they were married on March 6, 1953.

Upon leaving the military, he worked in the coal mines for six years while living in Virginia. Oscar and Margaret began their family having five children before they relocated to the great state of Indiana in 1961. He had a very strong work ethic - 29 and a half years were spent at the Budd Company, working as a press operator and forklift driver. While working at the Budd Company, he bought a Speed Queen Laundromat in Gary, Indiana that he managed and also did repair work on Speed Queen Washing Machines at five different apartment complexes for the Meyer Garfin Corporation. After the Budd Company closed, he partnered with a friend and bought another Speed Queen Laundromat in Portage, Indiana.

Oscar was an avid reader of the Bible, with 125 reads during his lifetime. He was not shy at sharing his love for the Bible, studying the truth daily and always sharing his knowledge with everyone he could get to listen to him. He wanted people to know the truth and not be lost when Jesus returns. He loved sharing Bible trivia with people about things he learned from studying daily. He was a longtime member of the Northwest Seventh Day Adventist Church in Crown Point, Indiana. His large family will always remember his sweet tooth, he loved treats even if he said he wasn’t hungry. He loved being at home, always asking… Ready to go home?! He really enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and taking his grandkids for rides during the summer while having family gatherings. The Chicago Cubs were his favorite baseball team, no matter the win. He was a devoted husband, wonderful father, brother, grandfather and caring friend.

Oscar’s family consisted of so many; his loving wife of 68 years, Margaret Ratcliff. Their children are:

Son - Wayne (Billie Jo, preceded in death) Ratcliff family: Jeremy Ratcliff, Chrissy Taglavore, David Ratcliff and Sarah Joseph.

> Jeremy Ratcliff Family: Ashley, Alexis, and Bryson Ratcliff and Bryalynn McDaniel

> Chrissy (Trent) Taglavore Family: Caroline and Adelaide Taglavore

> David Ratcliff

> Sarah (Jeremy) Joseph Family: Katie Howard and Andrew Joseph

> > Katie (Luke Howard) Family: Dominick Beem and Wyatt Howard

Daughter - Patricia (John) Jones Family: Stephanie Jones and Eric Jones

Daughter - Linda (Gene) Neier Family: Sharlene Harrison and Eugene, Adam and Aaron Neier

> Sharlene Harrison Family: Charlie Horsley and Jared Horsley

> Eugene “EJ” (Amy) Neier Family: Morgan and Kaylynn Darnell and Nathaniel “Nathan” Neier

> Adam “Nate” Neier and Aaron Neier, preceded in death by parents of Linda and Gene Neier

Son - Timothy Ratcliff Family: Corinna Ratcliff

> Corinna Ratcliff (Dimitri) Family: Layla

Daughter - Pamela Ratcliff Family: Shane Kary, Joshua “Josh” Rodriguez, and Anthony "AJ" Rodriguez

> Joshua Rodriguez Family: Kayden, Aoife, and Joshua Rodriguez, Jr.

Oscar was also blessed with multiple brothers and sisters, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is survived by John L. (Jackie) Ratcliff, and Martin (Martha) Ratcliff.

Oscar’s family consisted of 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, so there is a lot of love within the Ratcliff Family.

A Public Visitation for Oscar will be held Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. A Funeral Service will occur Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Pastor Jerome Davis will be officiating. Burial to follow with Military Honors at 12:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Ratcliff family.