Obituary of Ralph H. Ransom

Ralph H. Ransom, 98, of Ephrata, PA, formerly of Cedarville, NJ, died peacefully on April 8 after an extended illness. He was the son of the late Herbert Raymond Ransom and Elma Hankins Ransom. Ralph lived in Cedarville until he and his family moved to Newtown, PA to a farm that is now Tyler State Park. After the untimely death of his beloved father, the family returned to Cedarville where Ralph lived until 2003. He was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and Rutgers University. He began his career in education at what was then known as the Vineland Training School. From there he started his career with the New Jersey Public School System. He taught industrial arts and became the head of the industrial arts department before becoming assistant principal at Bridgeton High School. His career in education continued through many years and at several different schools in southern New Jersey. He loved each position he held, but his job as principal of the Atlantic County Vocational Technical High School (now Atlantic County School of Technology) was the one he enjoyed the most. A skilled carpenter, the trade he learned at a young age from his father, he knew the importance of the trades and delighted in seeing the students at “Vo-Tech” excel in their chosen trade. At the age of 11, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He enjoyed reading his Bible and instilling Christian values in his family. He was a member of the West Jersey Presbytery and held several positions within the First Presbyterian Church of Cedarville. After his retirement from the public school system, he became the caretaker of the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cedarville. His family often joked that he knew every blade of grass in the cemetery and that each one was the same height. He loved God, his family and his extended family. He treated his sons-in-law and his daughter-in-law as if they were his own children. He adored his family, and they adored him. He was an amazing role model to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved them, supported them, laughed with them and cried with them. He will be missed by each of them. He is survived by his children, Richard and his wife Juli of Albany, OR, Roxanne Burton and her husband Bill of Lititz, PA and Ralynn Norris and her husband Will of Bear, DE; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife Carolyn, who died in 2001 and his second wife Joan, who died in 2014; his brother Art, sister-in-law Hazel; sister Jessie Sipps, brother-in-law Harold Sipps; sister Barbara White and brother-in-law John White. Funeral services will be held at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Township on Thursday, April 13th at 11:00 AM. Friends will be received from 10:00 to 11:00 AM prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cedarville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the charitable organization of your choosing.