Rufus K. Ratcliffe

January 26, 1922 - December 30, 2012

Rufus K. Ratcliffe age 90 of Chardon Twp. died Dec. 30, 2012 at his home. Born Jan. 26, 1922 in Selma, AL to Edgar and Minna Christine (nee: Kilpatrick) Ratcliffe, he had been a longtime area resident. Rufus married Lois Lynette Litton on Apr. 21, 1945 in East Cleveland. Mr. Ratcliffe served with the Army Air Corp during WWII. Rufus was the owner of Ratcliffe Home Improvements. After his retirement he found his passion for beekeeping and honey sales; fondly known as the Honey Man. He was a member of Chardon Lodge F & AM # 93; Village Lodge F & AM #274; Al Koran Shrine and Pilgrim Christian Church in Chardon. Rufus is survived by his wife of 67 years Lynette of Chardon Twp.; son Mack (Cynthia) of Sonoita, AZ; daughters Christine (Richard) Ratcliffe-Beall of Shreveport, LA and Nancy (Michael) Tvergyak of Chardon; grandchildren Mack Jr., Megan and Kip Ratcliffe, David (Annice) and Andrew Larkin, Dr. Leah (Robert) Gongola, Rachael (Sean Conroy) Tvergyak and Michael Tvergyak Jr.; great-grandchildren Kaylee Ratcliffe, Gabriel, Michael and Natalie Larkin; and brother Jefferson (Bessie) of Selma, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Edgar Jr. MEMORIALSVC: 6pm on Jan. 2, 2013 at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South ST. (On Rt. 44, 500′ south of Rt. 6/Chardon Square) Chardon, OH. Catherine Kilpatrick Walsh will officiate. GATHERING: 4-6pm at the funeral home. Donations suggested to the Shriners Hospitals for Children Office of Donor Development Shriners Hospitals for Children International Headquarters 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607 or Hospice of Care Corp. 831 South Street Chardon, OH. MASONIC SERVICE TO FOLLOW.

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Thoughts and prayers with the family at this hard time. My God ease your pain.

I moved to Chardon in 1999 and found Mr. Ratcliffe and his yummy honey right away. My grandpa was also a beekeeper and I grew up loving honey. I would tell him about my memories of grandpa and his bees and he always listened. I somehow felt close to my grandpa after visitng with him. I didn't know his first name but I knew he had a wife and a loving marriage. He spoke of her often and I always asked about her. We also talked about the freerange chickens and fresh eggs. I thought Mr. Ratcliffe was a terrific person and Just wanted the family to know that I will also miss him. Your family will be in my thoughts today and tonight in my prayers.Respectully, Sandie

Dearest Nancy and family, Our prayers and condolences being sent to all of you. He was such a special dad, grandpa to all of you. May God give you strength for healing. And all the words of comfort and sympathy stay with you and in time become healing.Sending our love, Monica and John Gromek