James Edwin Ratke

James Edwin Ratke, 64, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Dr. J.O. Hosler officiating.  Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma.  Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan or the American Heart Association.  Those wishing to sign Jim’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.   Jim was born February 24, 1953 in Benton Harbor to Edwin & Anna (Foster) Ratke. He graduated from St. Joseph High School Class of 1972.  As a youth, Jim was employed at Silver Beach Amusement Park and later at G.C. Murphy’s. In 1973 he gained employment with City of St. Joseph Public Works, from where he retired as an equipment operator in 2013.  Jim was a member of the Coloma Rod & Gun Club.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, cooking-both in the kitchen and on the grill, and especially enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren.   Jim is survived by his children-Jaime Ratke of Plymouth, IN, Derek Ratke of Dowagiac, Jason Denk of Michigan City, IN, Ryan Denk of St. Joseph; four grandchildren Justin Russell, Jennifer, Jasmine & Britney Platt; his long-time companion Judy Denk of St. Joseph; his mother & step-father-Anna (Elson) Holdread of Plymouth, IN; siblings-Michael (Darlene Marske) Ratke of Covert; Debbie (Richard) Slavicek of St. Joseph, David (Teresa) Holdread of Knox, IN; Aunts-Gertrude Weaver, Helen Flugrath, Gladys Timpie, Margeruite Davidson; uncles Robert (Judy) Foster, Lawrence (Charlene) Foster, Lee (Peggy) Foster; numerous nieces, nephews & cousins; and his former wife Karen (Jim) Frank of Baroda. He was preceded in death by his father Edwin Ratke in 1978, his uncles-John, Leonard & Charles Foster, Orland Ratke; his aunts-Mary Booth, Irene Naughton, & Evelyn Patrick; and grandparents-John Foster, Frieda Yoder, & Gottlieb & Lydia (Byers) Ratke.