Farris June Ratcliff

Farris June Ratcliff, age 95, of Almyra, formerly of Mt. View, died Tuesday, May 18, 2015. He was born June 4, 1919 in DeWitt to Clem and Evea Allen Ratcliff who preceded him in death as did his wife, Sarah Ratcliff, sister, Maylene Rabeneck and great-granddaughter, River Lee Russell. Survivors include his daughter, Linda Kittler and husband Gene of Almyra, granddaughter, Misty Russell and husband Todd of Turner. Mr. Ratcliff served in the U. S. Army during World War II from 1942 through 1946 enduring nightly bombings and lived through the Great Depression. After joining the Merchant Marine he sailed around the world four times, staying in Africa for 18 months, crossing the equator and passing through the Panama Canal. He sometimes would be at sea for six months without seeing land and believed in God for all the things he'd been through and seen. Visitation will be 12:30-1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21st at Essex Funeral Home, DeWitt with a 2 p.m. graveside service following at Almyra Cemetery. essexfuneralhome.com.