Ronald L. Ratz

Ronald Lee Ratz died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his immediate family on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 after several years of declining health.



Mr. Ratz was born on October 3, 1937, to the late Vernon Nicholas and Arlean Coffman Ratz on the family farm southwest of Nevada, Ohio located in Antrim Township, Wyandot County. He lived there until he was five years old when his father died tragically in a motorcycle accident. His mother later married Harold (Jim) Walter of Sycamore, Ohio in 1943. Eighteen years later, after Jim Walter’s passing, his mother married Harold J. Gary, the first superintendent of Colonel Crawford School District.



During his teen years Mr. Ratz worked at Skippy's Market and Ryder Brass. After graduating from Bucyrus High School in 1956 he served in the U.S. Navy, being appointed to Machinist Repair School and then assigned on the USS Vogelgesang and USS Sigourney until 1960. He continued his employment with Ryder Brass for 60 years as a master machinist.

He married Carolyn Chance of Nevada, Ohio June 24, 1962. They recently celebrated their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary. In the early seventies they moved to the Chatfield area after buying a farm and were blessed with three children, Vernon, Shannon, and Laura.



For recreation Ronald was a deer hunter, muzzle loader and old firearm enthusiast, collector of antique farm machinery, and he enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie. He was a church council member of Nazareth Lutheran Church in Chatfield, a 60-year member of the Freemasons and past patron of Eastern Star, and a volunteer for two summers in 1999-2000 on the U.S. Brig Niagara, a replica of the Lake Erie flagship which took part in the War of 1812.



Mr. Ratz is survived by his wife and two daughters, a grandson Ricky Griego, as well as two brothers Steve Walter of North Robinson and Tom Walter of Grand Rapids, Ohio and one stepsister Nancy Gary Davenport of Aurora, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, two stepfathers, a son Vernon, and a stepsister Patricia Gary Cates.



Calling hours will be at Wise Funeral Home for friends and family on Friday, August 12 from 5-8 pm with an Eastern Star service at 4:45 pm and a Masonic service following calling hours. Funeral services will be at Nazareth Lutheran Church, 6411 State Route 4, in Chatfield on Saturday, August 13 at 11am, with Pastor Kevin Mohr officiating. A short graveside service will follow at Nevada Cemetery where full military rites will be provided by the US Navy Honor Guard and the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail.



If desired, donations can be made payable to Nazareth Lutheran Church, Bucyrus Masonic Lodge or to the Warpole Chapter #366 OES. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall.