Frank S. Ratay

Frank S. Ratay, age 72, of Belleville, IL, born on December 4, 1950, in E. St. Louis, IL, died on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

Frank grew up in E. St. Louis and graduated from Assumption High School Class of 1968.  He graduated from a technical school in Arizona as a lab engineer. He worked at Midwest Rubber in Sauget, IL and Jet Dynamics in Belleville, IL. He was also employed by Industrial Dynamics St. Louis as a Field Engineer until retiring in 2003.

He owned a Willy’s Jeep 1950 CJ3A class and raced in the annual GravelRama Racing Event in Cleves, Ohio. He and a friend operated The Willy’s Graveyard business, where they worked on all aspects of Willys Jeep restoration. Frank was an avid Cardinal fan and a season ticket holder since 1987. He was an expert sausage maker, enjoyed fishing at Kentucky Lake and was a Pink Floyd aficionado.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda D. Henerfauth, who recently died on April 12, 2023; and  his parents, Frank and Rose, nee Horvath, Ratay.

Frank is survived by his loving son, Frank A. Ratay of O’Fallon, IL.

Memorials can be made to St. Adalbert Cemetery Association.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd. Fairview Heights, IL.

Procession will leave from Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL at 9:30 am for a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL with Fr. Stan Konieczny officiating. Interment will follow in St. Adalbert Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.

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