Martha L. Ratell 1936-2026

Martha was born July 27, 1936, in Coitsville, a daughter of Howard L. Moore and Edna Lindsay Moore.

She graduated from North High School in 1954. During her younger years, she participated in 4-H, where she raised two steers. She later attended Youngstown College and graduated from the Youngstown Hospital Association School of Nursing in 1957.

A registered nurse, Martha began her nursing career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City until 1961 before proudly serving in the United States Navy as a lieutenant during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After her honorable discharge in 1964, she returned home and worked as an industrial nurse for Ohio Bell Telephone Company.

Martha married the love of her life, Edward Ratell, on Dec. 1, 1973, and together they shared 52 wonderful years of marriage.

In 1976, she retired from nursing to become a stay-at-home mother after the birth of her son, William.

She enjoyed gardening, feeding birds, reading, puzzles and the simple pleasures of life. Most of all, Martha loved spending time with her grandchildren and being a grandmother.

Martha will be deeply missed by her husband, Edward Ratell; her son, William Ratell and his wife, Joy, of Cortland; and her grandchildren, Lindsay, Josie, Gwen and Emma.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Richard, James and Robert Moore.

Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, OH 44514.

She will be laid to rest in Lowellville Cemetery.

The family would like to express a special thanks for the caring and compassionate nurses at Patriot Hospice and Home Instead for their wonderful care of Martha during this time.

Online condolences may be shared at www.beckerobits.com.

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