Robert LeRoy "Bob" Ratleff

Robert "Bob" LeRoy Ratleff, age 82, of Delaware, Ohio passed away early morning Sunday, November 30, 2025, at his home with loving family by his side.
Bob was born on April 21, 1943, in Bellefontaine, Ohio to the late Herbert Nelson Ratleff and Mary Fredetta (Artis) Ratleff.
Bob graduated from Willis High School in 1961. Following high school, Bob began a lifelong career at PPG Industries. Soon after beginning his work at PPG, Bob was enlisted in the US Army, serving as a cook in Vietnam.
Following his time in the US Army, Bob returned to work at PPG Industries. In 1971, Bob married the love of his life Carlan Jane (Bayless) Ratleff, and the two went on to enjoy 54 years of marriage before Carlan's passing in February 2025.
Bob filled the lives of so many family members and friends with special memories. From having a monopoly on his local newspaper route as a kid and employing his little cousins to his always smooth and funny responses to anything. Bob made the lives of his family fuller by being himself.
In his spare time, Bob loved to go fishing with his family. The children in the family would get to learn how to catch, filet, and fry the most delicious fish. Other specialties of Bob in the kitchen included jalapeno poppers, potato soup, fried green tomatoes, and strawberry rhubarb pie.
Bob was so proud of his family and how close they were. Bob was also a proud servant of the lord, being initially baptized at his childhood church Auburn Avenue Baptist Church. Later Bob became a member of the Second Baptist Church, which he attended for many years.
In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his wife Carlan Jane Ratleff; daughter Melody Pierce Ratleff; grandson Rollan Ratleff; siblings Betty Ratleff-Davis, Marilyn Sue Ratleff, Herbert Ratleff Jr. (Cylvia), William "Gus" Ratleff (Helen), John Ratleff, James Ratleff Sr. (Patricia), Charles Ratleff Sr. (Helga), Lawrence Ratleff Sr. (Norma Jean) and Ralph Ratleff Sr. (Ola); father-in-law Delbert Bayless; mother-in-law Marjorie Bayless; brothers-in-law Herschell and Kenny Bayless (Nazola); and sister-in-law Haydee Ratleff.
Robert "Bob" LeRoy Ratleff is survived by his sons Louis Pierce and Russel Ratleff (Stephanie); grandchildren Chance Bentley (Tara), Daiton Ratleff, Landon Ratleff (Taysha), Kyann Cain (Julian), Xavier Ratleff; brother Howard Ratleff Sr.; brother-in-law David Bayless (Jodi); sister-in-law Teresa Bayless-Kirk (Albert); 53 nieces and nephews; 9 great-grandchildren; along with a host of many other beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and very close friends.
Bob was a strong, independent, kind, and generous person who will be forever missed by so many.
A funeral visitation will be held at Snyder Rodman Funeral Center on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 9 am - 10 am, with prayers and memories being shared from 10 am - 11 am. Following the visitation, a graveside service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Lewis Center, Ohio.
The Snyder Funeral Homes - Delaware Chapel is honored to serve the Ratleff family in their time of need.