Joseph Michael Ratchford, 79, of Ames died at the Israel Family Hospice House on December 16, 2015. A gathering of friends and family will be Monday, December 21, 2015 from 3:00- 5:00 p.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, in Ames. A private burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter will take place at a later date.
Joseph Ratchford was born April 23, 1936 in Cresson, Pennsylvania to Bernard and Esther (Freidhof) Ratchford. He attended St. Francis College, graduating with an associate's degree. Joseph married Doris Lammers on January 6, 1965. He served 4 years in the Navy during the Korean War Era and 4 years as a reserve. Joseph worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 38 years. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Doris, four children; Terry (Julee) Molle, Laurie Molle, Christopher Molle, and Michele Ratchford, four grandchildren; Kristi (Jason) Elliott, Brandon Molle, Brad Molle, and Beth (Ryan) Germain, four great-grandchildren; Rachel Elliott, Tyler Elliott, Colden Germain, and Logan Germain, and one brother, Ronald Ratchford.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Jim, and brothers, James and Charles.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com