Jeffry John Ratkowski passed away after a brief illness on September 10, 2023, in Dallas, Texas at the age of 75. He was born to Harry and Beverly Jean (Mehall) Ratkowski on May 20, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois.
Jeff attended Roselawn Elementary, St. Paul’s Catholic School, and Schlarman High School in Danville, Illinois. He was a 1970 graduate of Northen Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. Upon graduation he was a manager trainee for J.C. Penney’s where he met the love of his life, Donna. They married August 4, 1973, at St. Mary’s Church in Westville, Illinois. They were blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage last month. He worked briefly for Firestone Tire as a credit manager. Then he began his career working for Esco Corporation as a District Representative until he retired in 2013. Jeff was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas. He was an active member of the Softball Players Association, Senior Softball USA, and the Dallas Area Senior Softball Association. He enjoyed reading, playing softball, cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Mavericks. He also followed the Illini, Aggies, and the NIU Huskies. His greatest love was spending time with his family and being the biggest fan of his five grandchildren. His humor (Dad/Papa jokes) and quick wit will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Ratkowski of Plano, Texas; son, Ryan Ratkowski (Rebecca) of Plano, Texas; daughter, Kristina Dawn Havemann (Darren) of Spring, Texas; mother, Beverly Jean Ratkowski of Allen, Texas; grandchildren, Luke Ratkowski, Katelyn Havemann, Dylan Havemann, Tucker Ratkowski, and Zoey Ratkowski; sister, Valerie Ratkowski of Franksville, Wisconsin; brother, Paul Ratkowski (Kim) of Leonard, Texas; brother-in-law, Bob Chiaffredo (Janice) of Gainesville, Georgia; sister-in-law, Paula See of Naples, Florida; brother-in-law, John Koonce (Linda) of Decatur, Illinois; three nephews: Tony Chiaffredo (Mary), Paul Chiaffredo (Liz), Sean Mainland (Ashley); three nieces: Lisa Koonce, Angela Gadlage (Stephen), Brooke Schott (Nick), seven great nieces and nephews, and six Godchildren.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Harry E. Ratkowski.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 18, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023. There will be a reception held at the church following the service. Following the reception, a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park for a committal service at 2:30 p.m.
The service will also be live streamed and can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/lvnGcJKi-To?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society or to The Schlarman Foundation https://www.schlarman.com/foundation/ or to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Building Fund https://setonparish.org/