Larry David Ratliff

Larry David Ratliff, 81, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022. He was born on April 10, 1941 in Milan, Indiana to the late Francis and Mary B. (Miller) Ratliff. On June 28, 1969 at St. John Vianney Church in Cincinnati, Ohio he married Kathleen Louise Hennessy who survives. Larry is also survived by one daughter, Kara (Tracy) Ellis of Seneca, Illinois, one son, David Ratliff, of South Bend, Indiana, and three grandchildren, Keenan, Carter, and Braden Ellis, as well as one brother, Robert (Charlene) Ratliff, two sisters, Mary (Steve) Carter and Ruth (Lee) Rosen, and one sister-in-law, Tricia (George Crow) Hennessy.

Though born in Milan, Indiana, Larry moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with his family around the age of 2. He thoroughly enjoyed spending summers at this grandparents’ farm in Kokomo, Indiana and was a 3:00 am Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper deliverer during high school and college. Larry graduated from Hughes High School in Cincinnati in 1959 and then attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his BBA and MBA in 1963 and 1964 respectively. He was a member of the Ohio Air National Guard from 1965 to 1970. Larry worked for FW Woolworth Co. from 1966-1978 managing stores in Mansfield, OH, Niles, OH, and Richmond, IN. In 1978, he accepted a position as Assistant Manager at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, and the family moved to South Bend. Later, he was promoted to Associate Manager and then Director.

Larry was known well in the neighborhood for his love of sports and playing games in the front yard with his children and all the neighborhood kids. He also enjoyed playing games, especially “Monster,” with his nieces and nephews. Larry loved his grandchildren fiercely and could often be found playing basketball, football, baseball, soccer, or Harry Potter with them. He also loved to travel and enjoyed trips with Kathy to Europe, including Ireland, as well as Hawaii and Hilton Head, South Carolina. 

A visitation for Larry will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2022 from 2:00 until 6:00 pm at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 11:00 am with visitation to be held one hour prior to the mass in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN 46617. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Joseph High School in Larry’s honor. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry David Ratliff, please visit our floral store.