Celeste Ratten

Celeste Kay Ratten passed away peacefully at 7:17 am on June 4th, 2021 at home.

She was born February 20, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri to Carl and Eva (Dunlop) McCleave. Kay graduated from Lindenwood College and received her master’s degree from the University of Missouri. Kay and her husband Ron Heithecker, who passed away in 1976, retired from teaching in 1972 to move to Canada and run the family resort, Laughing Water Lodge in Sioux Narrows, Ontario. On a world cruise Kay met Barry Ratten and they married April 6th, 1986. After the wedding and spending the summer in Canada, Kay moved to outside Melbourne, Australia, her husband’s home. The two started a vineyard of seven acres, which eventually grew to 40 acres and a pressing plant. After a few years Barry and Kay retired to Merimbula, New South Wales. After Barry’s passing Kay moved back to Springfield, Missouri where she would be closer to family.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Greta Hornbuckle; daughter, Heather Mary; son-in-law, Richard Machmuller; and pervious husbands, Ronald Heithecker and Barry Ratten.

She is survived by her three children, Celeste Barnes-Machmuller, Eric Doyle Heithecker, and Karl Tilden (Alice) Heithecker; her grandchildren, Katie (Ty) Lewis, Darcy Heithecker, Ronald (Candace) Barnes, Eva Marie (Marci) Barnes, Emily (Mike) Willer; her eight great grandchildren and her two sisters, Jo McBride and Cozette Joliff.

Kay said, “ I have lived a good and full life filled with adventure.” She loved her family and will be missed by all.

A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am, Monday, June 7th, 2021 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Chapel: 500 E. Walnut Street Springfield, MO 65806, with Reverend Ernest Gardner, III presiding over the services. A Visitation will be held from 10:30 am to service time. Burial will be at a later date at the Pineridge Cemetery, in Sioux Narrows, Ontario.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.