Dale W Ratcliff

Dale W. Ratcliff, 96, of Veedersburg, died 10:45 am Tuesday November 6, 2012 at Whitlock House in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was born September 24 1916 in Veedersburg the son of Charles H. and Bertha (Wilkey) Ratcliff. Dale first married Elinor Lee Myers September 3, 1936, they were blessed with one son, Ted Ratcliff. He later married Maxine Brewer Blackford August 11, 1957, both wives have preceded him in death. Surviving family include one son, Ted E. (Betty) Ratcliff of Crawfordsville; three grandchildren, Lori (Jeffrey) Abney, Goshen IN; Brett E Ratcliff and DeDe (Mitchell) Groves, both of Crawfordsville; nine great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Dale’s memberships include Sterling Christian Church, Masonic Lodge #314 of Kingman, honorary member of Veedersburg Lodge #491 and Covington Lodge #60, York Rite of Lafayette, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Murat Shrine of Indianapolis, Troy Chapter #145 O.E.S. of Covington, Fountain-Warren Scottish Rite Club, Western Indiana Shrine Club, former member of Crawfordsville Elks #483 Past president of Indiana Society of Public Accountants, Past President of Western Indiana Chapter Indiana Society of Public Accountants, Past President of Veedersburg Lions Club, Past Deputy Governor District Lions of Indiana, Past Worthy Patron of Vatetta Chapter O.E.S. In 1955 Dale started working in a Public Accounting Office, and soon passed examinations and earned the status of Licensed Public Accountant. He then earned an United States Treasury Card, entitling him to practice before the United States Tax Courts. He followed this profession until he retired in 1986. For 13 years of that time, he operated his own public accounting firm. At the death of his father in 1944 he returned to the family farm near Kingman IN which he operated until 1955. During this time, he was a partner in the Kingman Flying Service. This business operated a first class private airport and service facility, and a federal government approved school, training students to become pilots. This successful operation was physically destroyed by a windstorm in 1948. Prior to and during the early days of WWII, he was a machine operator for Alcoa Aluminum Co. of America in Lafayette, IN. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday November 9, 2012 at Dickerson Funeral Home in Veedersburg with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday November 8, 2012 at the funeral home with Masonic Service beginning at 7:45 pm. Burial will be at Kingman Fraternal Cemetery near Kingman, IN. Memorial contributions may be given to Sterling Christian Church or Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children. Online condolences at www.dickersonfuneralhome.com