Peter Ratcliffe died peacefully at Woodland Hospice, Saturday, July 2, 2016.

He was born March 23, 1925 to Peter and Ellen (Westhead) Ratcliffe in Detroit, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force following his high school graduation in 1943. He trained to be a radio operator and was sent to an English air base in the Persian Gulf attached to the 114th AACS until he was discharged June 1946. Upon returning home he joined the returning vets to take advantage of the GI Bill to get their college education. He applied and was accepted into the forestry program at Michigan State University. He married Doris Annette Colebank September 11, 1948. He became the father of twin girls in 1949 and graduated in 1950.

He moved his family to southern Ohio to work as a forester for a logging company, but returned to Michigan a year later to work for Howard Anderson Co. of Wakefield, MI. It was there he discovered he liked selling and dealing with people. He worked for several small companies selling a variety of products. Eventually going to work for Morbark Industries in Winn, MI. He remained there for several years. He accepted a job procuring right of ways for Wolverine Electric (He was finally back to the forests). He retired from Wolverine Electric and finally started his consulting business using his forestry background to help farmers and those with large tracks of woodland to maintain constant growth of their trees. He enjoyed the work and the people he met. Pete also started his dream of having a Christmas Tree Farm, and with the help of his wife and six kids, he was in the business for 37 years. He and Doris traveled to Alabama in the winter for several years, enjoying the warmth for three months.

They were married for almost 68 years. Pete loved when the family could all get together. His grandkids were so special to him. When the great-grandkids came along, they were a great source of joy.

He is survived by his wife Doris, Daughter Ruth Ellen (Obie) Thompson of Remus, MI, and sons Pete (Carol) III of Post Falls, ID, Daniel Christopher (Julie) of Midland, MI, Jeffery of Hancock, MI, and Mark (Ann) of Midland, MI, Fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Pete was preceded in death by his daughter Alice Annette Theuerkorn and his parents.

There will be a memorial service July 16, 2016 at 1 p.m. at New Hope UM Church in Mecosta, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Woodland Hospice in Mount Pleasant or New Hope United Methodist Church of Mecosta.

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