Obituary of Max Ratliff

Max Owen Ratliff, age 82, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017, at Parkview Heights, Garnett, Kansas.

He was born January 18, 1935, at Iantha, Kansas, the son of Zenn T. and Grace Lucille "Billie" (Chitwood) Ratliff. He attended Cherry Mound Grade School and graduated from Westphalia High School. In 1952, he graduated from Reisch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. Max joined the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.

Max married Margaret Brees on March 23, 1957 in Renton, Washington; this union was blessed with two sons, Ron and Randy.

He and Margaret owned and operated the Anderson County Sales Company for many years and was a partner with Zenn, making it the oldest self-supporting public auction in Kansas, which is now owned by Ron and Christy Ratliff.

Max was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Auctioneer Association, and the Livestock Marketing Association, Mirza Shrine Temple, and the Masonic Lodge #44.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Zenn and Billie Ratliff; one brother, Zenn Dale Ratliff; one sister, Joyce Ratliff.

Max is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret Ratliff, of the home; two sons, Ron Ratliff and wife Christy of Garnett, Kansas; Randy Ratliff of Nashville, Tennessee; two brothers, Gail "Tub" Ratliff of Westphalia, Kansas; Bill Ratliff and wife Barbara of Garnett, Kansas; one sister, Jeanie Thompson of McLouth, Kansas; many family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at the First Christian Church, Garnett, with burial following in the Garnett Cemetery. Family will greet friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett.

Memorial contributions may be made to Anderson County 4-H and to Parkview Heights.

You may send your condolences the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.