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John Ratay Obituary
He is survived by a brother, Gene Ratay, and a sister, Sharon Ratay Sturgeon. John attended Central Catholic High School in E. St. Louis, Illinois and graduated from SIU Edwardsville, Illinois. He joined the Navy at age 19 and spent 31 years serving, including in Korea during the Korean War.
John enjoyed all things Polish, especially the food and dancing the Polka. He was an avid reader and historian. His greatest passion was watching professional soccer and he often arranged vacations around attending games in various parts of the world. He was a very thoughtful person, who in healthier times, sent a yearly birthday card to everyone he loved.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Ratay
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Beth Sturgeon
May 12, 2023
My apologies for not posting in time to share the details for the ceremony! We had the memorial on Friday May 12th. We're very grateful for everyone who attended.
Beth
May 11, 2023
John's memorial is tomorrow- here are the latest details:
10:30am: Please meet us at the parking lot of Sylvan Springs Park, off of Halsey Rd (300 Halsey St). We'll gather there in our cars. Look for signs and purple ribbons to help us identify each other.
10:45am: We'll all drive across in a line to the Jefferson Barracks staging lot and follow the staff's directions to the correct pavilion.
11:00am: The military honors ceremony will be held.
11:30am: After the ceremony, we'll drive to the Pavilion at Lemay (305 Gregg Rd). We've reserved the River City Room for a gathering.
Beth Sturgeon
February 4, 2023
Thank you for all of these kinds posts! I'm John's niece (Sharon's daughter).
We have a date set for John's interment at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis- all are welcome. It will be May 12th at 11am. Attendees should arrive no later than 10:45am.
We'll have a gathering space nearby after the interment (still working out details). If you have any photos of John, please bring them along to the gathering- we'd love to see them!
Steve Ratay
January 23, 2023
Rest In Peace Uncle John. You were one of the kindest persons I ever met. You took me to a NBA St. Louis Hawks game 60 years ago with me being 9 years old. God bless.
Terry Ratay
January 23, 2023
I knew John my entire life. He always came to visit when he was in town. And especially my mom, Mary Ratay in the later years. Rest in peace John Rataj, you were a good man. I know that to be true.
Frank Ratay
January 21, 2023
This is an addendum to Red Keeney post.......
Frank Leo Ratay was the owner operator of a bottling company that made a product called Double Cola. He was involved with knights of Columbus.
Adam Wondoloski, also was involved with the knights of Columbus but he was the gentleman that worked for the jukebox company not Frank Leo Ratay.
Frank Ratay
January 21, 2023
Addendum to Red Keeney post.
Frank Leo Ratay was the owner operator of a bottling company that produced the product Double Cola in East St Louis Illinois. And was active in the knights of Columbus.
Adam Wondoloski worked for a jukebox company in East St Louis and I believe he is the gentleman Red is referring to.
Red Keeney
January 21, 2023
I knew the Ratay family name growing up in the 50s/60s in EStL. My dad was a big KofC man and I think a Frank Ratay was a friend/KofC man. I believe he was in the jukebox business and always gave us old records from the jukeboxes. Many ended up as cake plates for the various cake walks/church picnics/KofC picnic, etc. Sorry to read of this Mr. Ratay's passing. Another good ol' East St. Louis family...
Eileen Mercer
January 20, 2023
John was very polite and thoughtful. I was on his birthday card list.
Rest in peace,
Eileen Mercer
Maxine Karcher Ferris
January 20, 2023
Being a good friend and neighbor with his sister, Sharon, when we lived on Bunkum Road, I would see John occasionaly as we ran in and out of their house. He and her older brothers were always there for Sharon. May Johnny rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lucille (Aramowicz) DeLay
January 18, 2023
You have my condolences. I enjoyed having John as a friend.
Karen Ratay
January 16, 2023
I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family. John and I corresponded by mail from time to time, mostly about Ratay family history. I always enjoyed his letters. He was very generous with his time. May he rest in eternal peace.
Frank Ratay
January 16, 2023
So very very sorry for your loss.
Patricia (Gula) Summy
January 15, 2023
My sympathy to the family. John was close to my father, Stan Gula, when they were young. John was chosen as my godfather. I lost touch over the years but John always had a special place in my heart.
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