Cleo Franklin Ratliff, age 77, of Edina, MO, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2011, at his home in Edina, MO. He was born March 10, 1934, at Elmer, MO, the son of Emmett Oliver and Stella Opal Shultheiss Ratliff. He was united in marriage to Barbara Songer on December 15, 1957, at Edina, MO.
Surviving are his wife Barbara of Edina, MO, four children, Brenda Williams and husband Kenny of Ft. Worth, TX, Mike Ratliff and wife Sonya of Newark, Texas, Angie Robinson of Ft. Worth, TX, and Joey Ratliff and wife Nancy of St. Louis, MO, six grandchildren, Josh, Megan and Judson Williams, Bailey Ratliff, Tanner Robinson, and Jesse Ratliff, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Claribell Ratliff and Rose Marie Bailey, one brother, George Ratliff and his father and mother-in-law, Dallas and Gertrude Songer.
Cleo attended school at Bell Elementary School at Elmer and attended LaPlata High School where he played football and graduated in 1951. Cleo served his country in the United States Army. He was a trucker and log buyer for many years. Cleo and his wife Barbara have been married for 53 years and for the last 46 years have lived in Edina. Cleo loved his church family at the Edina Assembly of God Church. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan; he loved to fish and spend time with his children and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Pastor Rick Barnes will officiate the services. Burial will be in the Linville Cemetery. Music will be provided by Audrey Hamlin, Lee Ann Hamlin and Debbie Peters vocalist, and Ed Anderson, organist.
Casket bearers will be Joey Ratliff, Mike Ratliff, Tanner Robinson, Joshua Williams, Jesse Ratliff, Johnny Craggs and Jason Violette.
Honorary bearers will be Mark Ratliff, Wayne Bailey, Delbert Hawkins, Ray Prebe and the Casey's coffee gang.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2011, after 4 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.
Memorials may be made to Linville Cemetery or the Edina Assembly of God Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.