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 PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 6, 2006

 

Wesley W. Ratliff, Jr.

Sept. 21, 1925 – Aug. 30, 2006

Wesley W. Ratliff, Jr., 81, of Bloomington, died August 30 at his home.

He was born Sept. 21, 1925, in Knightstown, a son of the late Wesley W. Ratliff, Sr., and Ruth Ratliff.

Mr. Ratliff served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater of World War II from 1943-45. He attended Ball State University and graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1950. He began practicing law in Knightstown with his parents, both of whom were attorneys, in 1950. Mr. Ratliff was elected judge of the Henry County Circuit Court in 1962, succeeding his father, who died in 1961. He served there for 17 years before being named to the Indiana Court of Appeals in 1980. Mr. Ratliff served as chief judge of the court from 1987 until his retirement in 1992. He continued to work as a senior judge with the Court of Appeals until his death. He married Mildred Brown in 1947 and continued to live in Knightstown until his move to Bloomington in 1987. While residing in Knightstown, he was an active member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis Club and the Henry County Bar Association. In Bloomington, Mr. Ratliff was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Central Lions Club.

Mr. Ratliff and both his parents were attorneys. Of his three offspring, two became attorneys and one a doctor.

In addition to his wife, Survivors include three children, Marilyn (husband, Tom Crum) Ratliff, Kathy (husband, David) Forbes of Valparaiso and Dr. Wesley W. (wife, Mary Burch) Ratliff, III; a sister, Chris (husband, Don) Mahlum of Havre, Mt.; and six grandchildren, Sam (wife, Stef) Crum, Katie (husband, AJ) Bettencourt, Emily Forbes, Sarabeth (husband, John) Pollom, Amy Ratliff and Michael Ratliff.

Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. Graveside services took place later that day at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wesley W. Ratliff Scholarship Fund at Valparaiso University School of Law, or to First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington.

 

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