Robert “Lester” Ratliff, 85, of Arnold died Oct. 15, 2022, in south St. Louis County. Mr. Ratliff worked for 35 years, from 1963 to 1999, at Pevely Dairy in St. Louis. He had strong faith and was a member of First Baptist Church of Arnold. He loved spending time with his family. Born Feb. 1, 1937, in Jefferson County, Ill., he was the son of the late Gladys Lorene (Neal) and Silas Russell Ratliff.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years: Doris Jean Huffstutler, who he married in June 1955. He also is survived by five children: Susan Diane (John) Heilmann of Lake St Louis, Steve (Michelle) Ratliff of Dittmer, Karen (Jim) Dwyer of Phoenix, Ariz., Tracey (David) Webb of Collinsville, Ill., and Dawn (Carl) Campbell of Mt. Dora, Fla.; 13 grandchildren: Diane, Megan, Brian, Kelley, Rob, Jon Paul, Katie, Cassie, Courtney, Caleb, Joe, Josh and Jason; 23 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Phyllis and Sharon; and many nephews and nieces.
He was proceeded in death by three brothers: Silas Neal, Melvin and Joe Ratliff.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. in IOOF Cemetery in Dahlgren, Ill. Memorials may be made to the Noah D. Lawson Supplemental Needs Trust. Arrangements are under the direction of Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home.