Lydia M. Ratzlaff, 74, of Joplin, Missouri, died at 4:45 p.m., Monday, January 8, 2007 at her home. She had been in failing health.
She was born September 14, 1932 in Chetopa, Kansas to Juan Newton and Artie Ledora (Ellis) Corn. She grew up and attended schools in Chetopa graduating from Chetopa High School. She and Emmett Burton were married in 1952 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They divorced in 1971. On March 19, 1982 she and Melvin "Sam" Ratzlaff were married in Joplin, Missouri. He survives of the home.

Through the years, she had worked for Deming Investments and Dr. Zismore in Oswego; The Chetopa Advance and Riggs Drugs in Chetopa and had retired from Pepsi-Cola in Joplin.

She was a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church in Joplin. She was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Chetopa where she was active in Sunday school, choir, MYF and was the church pianist. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening and quilting. For several years she sang with the Versatiles singing group. She also helped organize the Alumni Association in Chetopa and was a member of the Chetopa Giftmaking Club.

SURVIVORS: Husband - Melvin S. "Sam" Ratzlaff of the home Three Daughters – Kerri Lynn Burton Joplin, MO Marla Kae Hart and her husband, Roy Dean Chetopa, KS Karla Rae Littlejohn and her husband, Randy Chetopa, KS One Stepdaughter – Lisa Fay Shaffer Yuma, AZ One Stepson – Daniel Ray Ratzlaff Yuma, AZ Four Grandchildren – Justin Littlejohn, Amanda Lester, Amy Hart-Nading and James Hart Two Great-Grandchildren – Clayton Lester and Aubrie Lester Four Sisters – Julia Luznicky Welch, OK Wanda Sharp Claremore, OK Carol Kerns Wichita, KS Winona Skidmore Erie, KS Numerous Nieces and Nephews

She was preceded in death by two sons, Philip Alan Burton in 1954 and Richard Ellis Burton in 1965; one brother, George Newton Corn; five half-brothers, James A. Corn, Percy Corn, Dwight Corn, Eddie Corn and Roy Corn; nine half-sisters, Grace Spangler, Evelyn Metzen, Juanita Brooks, Vera Grimes, Faye Gott, Thelma Martin, Geneva Parker, Emma Cox and Callie Rogers.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2007 at the United Methodist Church in Chetopa. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa. Friends may call after 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

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