John Francis Ratterman

of Bainbridge Island, Washington, died Sept. 17, 2017, at his home. He was 85.Mr. Ratterman was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and attended elementary and high schools there; he also attended St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas, and received a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.He served in the Navy during the Korean conflict, aboard the USS New Jersey, and in Hawaii and North Africa. He worked as a reporter and editor for the Kansas City Star, for the Anchorage Daily News and the Anchorage Daily Times. He was later employed by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in Anchorage, Alaska, as manager of public relations. He retired in 1989, and he and his wife Betty moved to Bainbridge Island.He was a lifelong avid fisherman, hunter and sailor, and active with the Bainbridge Friends of the Library and the Island Theater.He leaves a son, James Connolly, of Temecula, California; and a daughter, Brooks Hutton of Auburn, Washington; four grandchildren; and his sister, Mrs. Maryellen Conner of Kansas City, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his wife.Veteran's burial will be in the Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington, on Oct. 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. A celebration of John's life will be held October 22nd in the large meeting room of the Bainbridge Public Library from 3 to 5 p.m.In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in John's name to Island Theater or Bainbridge Public Library. Please sign the online guest book for the family. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.