Laura Marie Ratkie

Laura Marie Cantrall Loyd Beckner Ratkie, 87, of Springfield, died at 4:39 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Timberlake Assisted Living. Laura was born on February 12, 1927 in Springfield, the daughter of Verney and Catherine Harney Cantrall. She married Harold Loyd and they later divorced. She met Robert Beckner and they were married 21 years before he died in 1976. She later met the love of her life, Donald H. Ratkie, and they were married 10 years before he died in 1988. Laura attended St. Joseph Grade School and Ursuline Academy. She was employed for L.B. Price Mercantile Company for 18 years and retired from Hawkeye Insurance Company in 1983. She was Department Commander and Chapter Commander for the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Chapter 15 in Springfield. Laura truly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also loved deeply her adopted daughter and son-in-law, Norman and Connie Clark of Springfield. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles M. Loyd; five sisters, Katherine Blackburn, Theresa Young, Drucilla Fahrenbacher, Mary E. Green, and Valeria Hohimer; two brothers, Thomas Cantrall and Verney Cantrall, Jr.; and four step-sons, Richard, Louie, Robert, and Leonard Beckner. She is survived by her daughter, Cathy (husband, Larry) Loyd Sanderson of Springfield; son, Harold "Butch" Loyd of Melbourne Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Kelly Jo (husband, Adam) Bunce of Ashland City, TN, Deanise Loyd of Battle Creek, MI, Jennifer Sanderson of Springfield, Larry Sanderson, Jr. of Sweetwater, Nancy Sanderson of Las Vegas, NV, and Rita Loyd of Los Angeles, CA; six great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Akeem Sanderson-Johnson of Springfield, Chere Witherspoon of Las Vegas, NV, Shelby Sanderson of Springfield, Walker and Riley Bunce of Ashland City, TN, and Vontavius Williams; brother, Henry Cantrall; one daughter-in-law, Linda Loyd; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence, Springfield with Rev. Zachary Edgar, celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Disabled American Veterans, 25 Club Area, Springfield, IL 62712 or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.