Dear Aunt Mary, Lisa, David and Family-

I can't believe that it's been over a year since Uncle Lee died. I still think of him often, and there have been a few occasions when my heart leapt when I thought I saw him. There have been times too  when I thought about calling him, only to remember that I would have to wait to see him again  in heaven. 

Uncle Lee had a easy smile, and a great laugh to go with it. And he was always willing to help someone. I remember when I was in college, a poor starving student driving a run down, rattling old car,when one day my car broke down on the south side of town. Mom and Dad were living in Ohio, and I had no idea where to take my car. I called Uncle Lee for advice, and he drove out to where I was and fixed my car , in the rain, no less! I was truly greatful!

During his days of dealing with his cancer, Uncle Lee displayed what it means to have deep faith and courage. He was a true inspiration. And that, truly, is one of my fondest memories of him.

Love,

Dear Mary,
I miss Lee.  I miss calling you to chat and when you weren’t home he would talk to me, I always thought, so as not to waste the phone call. As he was living his illness, we often commented on his wonderful attitude, and his smile while sitting in his big chair. I can still see him sitting on a chair with a mask on, waiting for you and me as we inched our way up the clinic stairs to get our H1N1 shot. I remember the day before he died, you were sick and he had had no visitors at the hospital, so that evening I went up for a visit. We joked about hospital food and talked about football.  It has been over a year now since I was with you up at the hospital the next evening when Lee, the gentle giant of our family, passed away.  A year that we have shared tears, and laughs and long talks on the phone.  You have gone through another Christmas and will soon be in a new year, 2011.  We’ve waited this long to write as we knew there might be changes, and there surely were. 

This past year Tim and I have watched you become much more confident in your decisions.  As you saw a problem with your home, your car, or your house in Noblesville, you tackled it.  You are able to discern the things that you do need help with, and then ask for that help all while learning in the process.  We watched you make decisions much easier and quicker than ever.  We know you suffer the loss of Lee and that it has been a hard year for you but, with the help of prayers from many of your loved ones, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit, your strength has certainly shined through. 

To Lisa and Dave: Losing a parent is a sad episode in our lives that most of us go through.  We know your dad asked that you take care of your mom after he was gone.  We also know that you’re doing your best.  Lisa & Brian, by opening up your home to her when she comes to Noblesville to work on the house, and helping with that work, you honor your father.  Dave and Holly, the giving of your time to help at the house here in Ft. Wayne, and Dave the work you do in Noblesville, also honors your father. 

The presence of Lee’s spirit is still felt in our home and we’re sure you can look around any corner of your home and see him standing there.  God’s blessings to each one of you and to Lee’s grandchildren, Jami, Adam and Abby, as you continue to do your best in your world that your husband, father, and grandfather helped you make for yourself. 

Lovingly,
Your Sister and Brother-In-Law

Mary & Family
As time passes I hope your hearts have found some healing.  Lee was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.

After They Are Gone

When someone we love passes away,
We ache, but we go on;
Our dear departed would want us to heal,
After they are gone.

Grief is a normal way to mend
The anguish and pain in our hearts;
We need time to remember and time to mourn,
Before the recovery starts.

Let's draw together to recuperate,
As we go through this period of sorrow;
Let's help each other, with tender care
To find a brighter tomorrow.

By Joanna Fuchs

We wish you nothign but healing and love as you go through this hard time.  Uncle Lee was not only my Uncle but a wonderful Godfather that always did his best to make sure I was doing the right thing.  He was wonderful and I remember when I was little him carrying me around on his shoulders at Grandpa's house.  That will always be my favorite memory of him.
Blessings of Light and Love
Lori & Jennifer Larko
Rob, Sammi & Abbi too!

LeRoy Ratliff Wife and Family:

I just found out today that LeRoy passed away.
I worked with him for several years at I&M (he in Engineering and I in Accounting). I always detected a great amount of kindness in his heart.  My prayers will be with you.

Aunt Mary, Lisa, David and family -  

While we are mourning the loss of LeRoy Ratliff - your husband, father, grandfather, and our Uncle and friend, others are rejoicing to meet him in Heaven.  We had always known he was an Angel. He will always be looking down upon us with that special smile he always had - - one that always made us smile back and feel special.

May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.  

When the joys
are still remembered
But the sorrow
has quietly gone,
There will always be
a special place
In the heart —
where love lives on.

Peace, prayers and God’s blessings – 


Uncle Lee, we will always love you!

Aunt Mary, Lisa, and David.

There is no grief greater than the loss of the ones close to us. It is difficult to imagine never being able to see or talk to Uncle Lee again, but he has etched a place in all of our hearts to remember him by. 

He was always the one cheerful and smiling at any gathering. And undoubtably the tallest. 

I've enjoyed many family gatherings as a child with Uncle Lee, but my most memorable ones are when your family would come and visit in Hawaii. Uncle Lee was a trooper of a family man. He may not have planned the trips, but he always did his part by taking care of the luggage, driving the car, and hanging around during the (maybe boring to him) souvenier shopping. I'm sure he got pillows for you at times Aunt Mary too! He put his wife and children first. 

One of my most memorable moments of a husband taking care of his wife was when Uncle Lee pulled you out of the water up the back of the boat when we were on the snorkel cruise on Kauai. I think Lisa and I choked on salt water having a blast with that one. 

Not many couples make it to 44 years of marriage, that is something to be proud of and commended for.

I hope that all of you endure your grieving through happy thoughts of the wonderful times you have shared, the achievments he has acomplished, and the character he has passed on. 

All my love and prayers!

Dear Mary, Dave, Lisa and family.  I am so very sorry to hear about Lee...I have fond memories of him and meeting and being with all of you...please know you are always in my thoughts.

My Uncle was very special to me. Even though i live far away in Hawaii every time i talk to him on the phone it's like i never left Indiana. He is still how i remember him when i was little. Kind, soft hearted, soft spoken and gentle is only some of the words that describe him. He was always a good Uncle to me, it is sad that i had to move away when i was so young, not being around the family we love so dearly. I am so Happy that my Uncle got to come to Hawaii last summer so I could see him again, that memory will be with me for a long time. I woke up on Thanksgiving and for some reason the first thing that came to my mind was to call my Uncle Lee before i started cooking to see how he was doing and wish him a Happy Thanksgiving. Wow talking to him was wonderful and he seemed to me like he was going to go home to his family. I said a prayer for him. I am so Happy i did because if he passed before i got to talk to him it would of been real sad. I know he is in a better place now with the Lord. I pray that my Aunt Mary, Lisa, David and Grand Children can get through the Holidays and find Joy knowing that Uncle Lee is in heaven with Jesus. I Love you Uncle Lee!

Love,
Your Niece Kimberly (Madigan) Tanigawa

Lee was such a non-assuming and modest man with a larger than life personality.  He had such a great impact on so many lives.  His influence in my life, encouraging me to join the Navy, changed my world forever.  For that, I will be forever grateful.

The following poem is normally recited at Navy retirement from service ceremonies.  Lee did not retire from the Navy; however, I feel that the poem is still fitting to dedicate to him. 

This sailor has stood the watch

While some of us were in our bunks at night,
This sailor stood the watch

While some of us were in school learning our trade,
This shipmate stood the watch

Yes…even before some of us were born into this world,
This shipmate stood the watch

In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen 
brewing on the horizon of history,
This shipmate stood the watch

Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there,
Needing his guidance and help,
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times,
But he still stood the watch

He stood the watch so that we, our families,
And our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety,
Each and every night,
Knowing that a sailor stood the watch

Today we are here to say:
“Shipmate…the watch stands relieved.
Relieved by those YOU have trained, guided, and lead
Shipmate you stand relieved…we have the watch!”

“Fair Winds and Following Sea”  

Uncle Lee, I love and miss you very much.

Dear Mary, Lisa, David and family,

My deepest sympathies go out to each one of you at the loss of Lee.  Lee was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and a friend to all who knew him.  It is so wonderful that he was ready to meet Jesus and that his soul was at peace.  Knowing that he is with the Lord will be a great comfort to you all, not only at this time, but always.  You are all in my prayers. 

Love,
Claudia Harnish

Mary, Lisa & David:

Words cannot express how sorry we are about Lee's passing.  He was an honorable man who was very dedicated to his wife, children and grandchildren.

We had many enjoyable times together, and he was a wonderful friend to us.

May you find peace and comfort knowing he is with the Lord, and you will be united with him again in heaven.

Love,
Duane and Marsha Meyer

I remember when I was little thinking this man scares me to to death.  With his height and size and deep voice it was no wonder.  He would say quiet down, but as a 5 year old looking up at this tower of a man I heard "QUIET DOWWWNNN!!!!"  Thankfully as I grew older I found that my Godfather was not so harsh.  He was a gentle, funny, kind man who shared his faith to the end...well to a new beginning.  I have memories as we all do of Uncle Lee, but he left me something (unknowingly and just by example) that every Godchild should receive.  He offered up his pain, his fear, everything he was about to leave behind... simply because if Jesus could die on the cross, than he could go through this.  Now I've heard this before, when you have a problem...offer it up.  But never have I ever seen someone actually do it from their death bed.  That is strength, that is faith.  I'm so proud to say that was my Godfather and I will forever hold that in my heart.  Thank you for the lesson Lee. I wish you pure happiness in the arms of our Lord.

I got the chance to see my uncle Lee on Thanksgiving and as much as we all hate to go to the hospital which I was dreading but I wanted the chance to see him again. Is was so worth it. We were entertained the whole time my mother and I was there, he was full of hope. And Joy, that my mother brought him some pumpkin pie. His exacted words were he was looking forward to going home on Monday. I couldn't believe he was dieing. He is in his God's resting place now and I hope Mary, Lisa, David and their families find comfort in God's hands.
With All my Love!

Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss. May God's blessings of peace be with you and your family.
Jerry Reff and family

Mary, Lee was a kind gentle man. I never heard him speak ill of anyone or anyone speak ill of him. He was an inspiration to anyone who knew him of how to live a life in Gods grace. He wil be missed.

To Mary, Lisa, David, and the grandchildren –
 A memory from the past.
When I was young, Lee was already a tweenager. When I was old enough to know what was going on, he was at the age when little sisters were just a nuisance. I remember he went away when I was about five, mom said he when to the navy, so I do not have many memories of him when we were young, but there is one I wanted to share. There was a game we played when it was warm and we could go outside. The game was called Ollie, Ollie, Over. It was a game where you throw a small ball over the house and the kids on the other side caught it. Then they ran around to the other side of the house and the kids that were on that side had to run around to their side and those that did not make it were then on the other team. I know it was just a silly kids game but I always wanted Lee on my team because he always made sure us little kids had a bit of a head start and he was very at catching and throwing the ball. 
It is funny how at the times when you are thinking of a love ones passing, how you remember silly little details of a time passed. 
I have many, many good memories Lee in the past 57 years but for some reason this one sticks out in my mind.
As I got older I got to know, love, and respect my big brother. 
I don’t remember ever seeing Lee mad at anyone and he never seemed to have a bad thing to say about anyone.
Even though he was close to death and in hospital, he was still joking and laughing with my sisters and me.
As someone just said to me he was “Larger than life”, and that is the way I will always remember him.
With all my love .

Lisa, David, Mary, Jami, Adam and Abby,  We are sad for the loss of your Dad, husband and Grandpa.  We know you will miss him dearly and are praying for comfort as you grieve your loss and peace in the difficult days ahead.
~Our deepest sympathy and prayers,
Chris, Julie, Miranda, Jeremy and Marissa Beck

Lisa, David, Mrs. Ratliff and all your family...  our deepest sympathies are with you right now, and many many prayers are being lifted for you, for peace, comfort and strength during this sad time.  I wish I could be there in person.  Know that my heart is heavy for your sorrow, but I also praise the Lord for the blessing of Mr. Ratliff's life... all my love,
Michelle Williams

Lisa, David, Mrs. Ratliff and all your family...  our deepest sympathies are with you right now, and many many prayers are being lifted for you, for peace, comfort and strength during this trying week.  I wish I could be there in person.  Know that my heart is heavy for your sorrow, but I also praise the Lord for the blessing of Mr. Ratliff's life... love you.
Michelle Williams

Mary - 

You are, & always will be in my prayers.  I am so blessed to have known you & Lee & feel especially lucky to have met you!!!  May you feel God's arms around you always.

With Love,

To Leroy's immediate family and other relatives, I offer my deepest condolences on his passing.  I'm sure he will be missed by everyone including me.  But know he doesn't suffer any more and, as sad as these days may be, it is better to celebrate his life than to grieve his passing.  May God bless Leroy and all.

Mary,

My sincere sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time.

Sincerely, Jim Gavin (Tokheim)

May God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow.  I know that the day Lee left you, God picked him up and welcomed him home and he will be watching over your family now along with our Lord.  Please know that all of my thoughts and prayers are with you!

OBITUARY

Homer LeRoy Ratliff Jr.

August 28, 1941 – November 30, 2009

Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home

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