Peter Ruffatti

Peter D. Ruffatti

Age 89 of Coal City and formerly Gardner, passed away Saturday evening June 8, 2013 at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale.

Born August 16, 1923 in Coal City, Peter was a son of the late Domenic Peter and Minnie Reano-Ruffatti. He was raised in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School with the class of 1941. On January 31, 1948, Peter married Margaret Christensen in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris. Peter farmed his entire life in the Gardner and Coal City area, and also held employment with Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, as well as worked for the Coal City strip mines for various years during the winter months. He was the past president of Mazon Mutual Insurance, and held his insurance license for more than 30 years. Peter was a former member of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington, and currently belonged to Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City. He was a member of both the South Wilmington Fireman's Club and Coal City Area Club, former member of the Knights of Columbus Braidwood Council, former member and past officer of the South Wilmington Men's Club at Saint Lawrence Parish, belonged to the Wilmington Island Squares for more than 20 years and served numerous years with Goodfarm School Board. Peter enjoyed gardening, dancing and working on equipment. He was also remembered for his love of playing cards, baseball and ping pong, as well as spending time with his dear wife and family.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years Margaret; three children: Sharon (Frank) Catania of Naperville, Douglas (Karen) Ruffatti of Gardner and Linda (Randal) Teske of Rockford; daughter-in-law Sharon Ruffatti of Joliet; (11) grandchildren: Julie Ruffatti, Ryan Ruffatti, Michael Catania, Steven Catania, Christine Ruffatti, Michelle Ruffatti, Michael Ruffatti, Nathan Ruffatti, Kari Teske, Kelly Teske and Meghan Teske; one sister Irene (Perry) Tanner of Harvey; one brother Raymond (Carol) Ruffatti of Bradenton, Florida; three sisters-in-law Betty Smith of Morris, Patricia Townsend of Dwight and Evelyn Roost of Madison, Wisconsin; one brother-in-law Lawrence Christensen of Highland, Indiana, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; one son Robert (2006); one sister Catherine (James) Ferrari; one brother in infancy; one sister-in-law: Helen Foss and three brothers-in-law: Maurice Christensen, Raymond Christensen and Edward Christensen.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Wednesday June 12, 2013 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Funeral services will follow Thursday morning June 13th at 10:00AM in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 245 South Kankakee Street in Coal City. Reverend Robert Noesen, pastor of Assumption Parish, and Peter's nephew Reverend Richard Smith will officiate.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Braidwood.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Peter's memory to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital or to a charity of the donor's choosing.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815/634-2125)