Joseph G. Ransing, 97, of Lancaster, passed away Monday, January 23, 2012 at Hospice of Lancaster County's Essa Flory Hospice Center.  Born in Lancaster, Joe was the son of the late Henry E. and Anna (Hauser) Ransing.  He was married to the late Henrietta W. (Wolpert) Ransing, who died in 1983.

A 1932 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School, he was a member of the school's first football and basketball teams.

Joe served in the US Army during World War II with the US Medical Admin. Corps where he served as adjutant of the 3 ^rd field hospital in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. After he was discharged as a major, returned to Lancaster and took a position as business manager and purchasing agent with Science Press, where he worked until his retirement in 1978. While working at Science Press, Joe also served as choir director at St. Anthony's Church from 1955 through 1966. In 1966, Joe accepted a similar position at Sacred Heart and, after retiring from Science Press in 1978, also accepted the position of Business Manager until his retirement on June 30, 2000.

Joe was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.

Surviving Joe are his children, Josephine M. Rice, of Lancaster, Gerard A. Ransing, husband of Maxine J. of Lititz, Stephen J. Ransing, of Lancaster, 14 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.  In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Linn P. Rice, and siblings, Rev. Bernard E. Ransing, CSC, Marie Lowell, Richard Ransing, and Carolyn Ransing.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 27, 2011 at 11 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603 with Rev. Michael Messner as Celebrant.  The family will receive guests from 10 until 11 AM at the church.  Interment will take place in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.  Contributions in Joe's memory may be made to LCHS Music Dept., 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601.  To send an online condolence please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661