Earl Ratliff

Earl (Doc) was born on January 30, 1935 in a farm house at Jacksonburg, Ohio the youngest of 9 Children to Kelly and Iva (Collinsworth) Ratliff. His mother died shortly after his birth and he was predominately raised by his older Sisters.

Earl’s family moved to the Kern Farm in Germantown, Ohio when he was five years old. He attended Germantown Schools active in FFA, Football and Track graduating in 1953. His high school coach and mentor James Hughes took him to Columbus to register at The Ohio State University loaning him the initial fees.

He married Dora Dougherty in 1955 who he met through family friends from Green Bush, Ohio. Earl and Dora returned to Columbus, Ohio where their sons Marvin and Dan were born. Earl worked summer factory jobs and part time lawn work during the school year; and was assisted with loans from his brothers and sisters to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University in 1960.

Dora’s parents mortgaged their farm to assist purchasing land in Germantown with a Small house and detached 2 car garage. Doc ran Germantown Animal Hospital on Cherry Street from 1960 until his retirement in 2005.

He was the county fair vet for many years supporting local 4-H and FFA activities. Doc always had a joke to tell when wrapping up a farm call. He was active in the Germantown First Church of God.

After retirement he spent winters in Florida at The Villages enjoying golf, swimming, and riding around in a golf cart with Dora.

Earl passed on to our Lord on date October 31, 2026 in The Villages, Florida at 91 Years old. EarI was preceded in death by Dora his wife of 70 years. His parents, Kelly Sr. and Iva. His step mother Bethel. All of his siblings: Gladys (Lonnie) Helton, Scoby (Ozzie), Nola (Denver) Johnson, Kelly Jr. (Charlotte), Kathleen (Mark) Rose, Tucker (Kathleen), and Harold as well as his daughter in-law Coleen (Marvin).

Earl is survived by sons Marvin and Dan (Barb); six grandchildren: Michael (Sarah), Brian (Emily), Jennifer (Kevin) Flott, Mark (Ashley), Justin, and Kaitlyn (Nathan) Smith; nine great-grandchildren: Orbin, Jacey (Jacob) Howell, Ella, Isaac, Grace, Will, Joel, Skyler, Charlotte and Olivia; and a great-great grandson Jasper. Plus numerous in-laws, nieces/nephews and their children.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 10:00-11:00am at Germantown First Church of God, 760 Farmersville Pike, Germantown OH. Funeral services will start at 11:00 AM followed by burial at Germantown Union Cemetery.