ONAGA – Verne A. Ratcliff, 82, of Onaga, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Via Christi Village Nursing Center in Manhattan.

He was born February 17, 1942 at Onaga, the son of Ralph and Florence Perrussel Ratcliff.  He graduated from Onaga High School.

Verne worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Union Pacific Railroad for thirty years.  After retiring from the railroad, he drove a school bus for the Onaga schools for twenty years and was a Foster Grandparent with NEKCAP for ten years.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church, UCC in Onaga, a Life Member of the Onaga Jaycees, was a volunteer firefighter for the Onaga Fire Department for fifty years.

Verne married Patricia Ann Lauby on March 2, 1974 in Onaga.  She preceded him in death on May 7, 2013.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gene Ratcliff and Duane Ratcliff.

Survivors include three daughters, Machelle Kleinjan (Richard), Kearney, NE, and Crystal Kelly (Steve) and Staci Ratcliff (Susie), all of Neosho, MO, a son, Bill Kelly (Tonya), Wamego, one brother, Leon Ratcliff (Lois), Onaga, six grandchildren, Tyson and Samantha Kleinjan, Derreck Kelly (Jayna), Sarah Kelly, Lane Boe and Maegen "Pumpkin" Lightner, and six great grandchildren, Raine Kleinjan, Skyler, Lliam and Arthur, and Claire and Beck Kelly.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24th at the First Congregational Church, UCC.  Burial with Last Call Honors will follow in the Onaga Cemetery.  Verne will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga, where visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m..    Memorials are suggested to the Onaga Fire Department or the Onaga Historical Society, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 312, Onaga, KS  66521.