Ronald M. Ratcliff

Published 9:25 am Tuesday, June 14, 2011

ROSEMOUNT– Ronald Milton Ratcliff, 73, of Rosemount, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monday, June 13, 2011, at his home. He was born Jan. 20, 1938, in Portsmouth, a son of Joseph William Ratcliff of Portsmouth, and the late Edna Louise Porter Ratcliff.

With his wife, Rosalie, Ron was the owner of The Original Hamburger Inn in Portsmouth for 32 years. He also was the former owner of Portsmouth Beauty Supply, was a former realtor, and he held various sales positions in the area. Ron was a U.S. Navy veteran, and he attended Valley United Methodist Church and Christ’s Community Church. He was a 1956 Clay High School graduate, and had attended the Ohio University Portsmouth, and he was a member of UCT.

Ron was a member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge #48 F&AM, and he was a 32nd degree Mason Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite. Ron loved bass fishing, having competed in many tournaments, some with the pros. His fishing buddies were his chocolate labs, Boomer 1 and Boomer 2. He also loved hunting, golf, bowling, and he was a huge OSU sports fan.

While he enjoyed his life fully, the most important thing in Ron’s life was his family – wife, children and grandchildren. He loved the time he spent with them, watching them participate in sports and cheerleading, and he made times at family outings good-natured competitions. Many people, including his beloved nieces and nephews, were drawn to him for his wisdom, and his zest for life left a beautiful legacy for all his family. He was preceded in death by a nephew, Tony Diaz.

Ron is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosalie Delores Vastine Ratcliff, whom he married in Portsmouth, Sept. 20, 1956; his daughters, Sherry (John) Boggs of Wheelersburg, and Cindy (Joe) Waller of Coal Grove; three sisters, Elaine Euton of Portsmouth, Lorraine Tomlin of Wheelersburg, and Jody Diaz-Barker of Rosemount; four grandchildren, Abby Boggs of Blacksburg, Va., Ben Boggs of Valparaiso, Ind., Annie Schmidt of Raceland, Ky., and Sarah Schmidt of Huntington, W.Va.; step-grandchildren, Tyler Waller of Coal Grove, and Justin Boggs of Wheelersburg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat (Herb) Zeller of Columbus, Ernie (Peggy) Vastine of Wheelersburg, and Ron (Jean) Vastine of Rosemount; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Scott Rawlings, minister, and Rev. Dave Cottrell officiating and interment in Rosemount Cemetery. A Masonic service will be held at noon, prior the funeral service, conducted by the Aurora Masonic Lodge #48 F&AM.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Tony Diaz Memorial, New Beginnings Ministry, P.O. Box 472, Piketon, OH 45661. Online condolences may be sent to http://www.ralphfscott.com/.