Jerry Ransom

Jerry Ransom, 84, of Churubusco passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on October 24, 2023, following a brief illness. Born April 23, 1939, in Harlan, Indiana, he was the youngest child of the late Mary Leona Boger Ransom Baker and Robert Irving Ransom. He grew up in the West Central neighborhood of Ft. Wayne helping his brother Jim deliver early morning papers, eventually having his own routes. He attended Emmanuel and Concordia Lutheran Schools. Always enjoying music and singing, Jerry sang in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church children's choir. His clear boy soprano tone sometimes garnered him the coveted Christmas morning solo. Jerry transferred from Fort Wayne Central to Churubusco High School, when his mother and stepfather, Wilbur Baker, moved to Blue Lake near Churubusco, after his sophomore year. Following his 1957 graduation from CHS, he worked at WKJG TV studios and sometimes appeared as Prospector Pete on the Engineer John (John Siemer) Cartoon Express children's show. He met his wife Rita Lenore Fry at CHS and they were married on October 1, 1960, by their beloved pastor, Rev. James Hook at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Churubusco. She survives. Plans to move to California for radio/television school were interrupted by the impending draft. Instead, he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1961. After basic training and schooling, he was assigned to Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas as a weather observer. During this time he enrolled at Texas Western College (now University of Texas at El Paso). They returned to Churubusco in January 1967. He used his love of music all his life for his own enjoyment, whether it was with the folk group "The Danville Singers" in El Paso, the church choir, weddings or funerals, and Order of the Eastern Star gatherings. In recent years, due to health reasons, he missed singing alongside the congregation on Sunday mornings. His musical interests live on in his children and grandchildren. Jerry was a 50-year member of Churubusco United Methodist Church as well as holding membership for 50 years in the Churubusco Masonic Lodge #515 F.& A.M., which consolidated with Columbia City Masonic Lodge #189 in 2021. He served as Worshipful Master during the Churubusco Lodge #515 100th anniversary celebration in 1975. Jerry also served as Worthy Patron of the Churubusco Chapter #136 Order of the Eastern Star many times. Rita and Jerry served OES #136 together as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron, in 1976-77, the bicentennial year of our country. He felt fortunate to be part of very special bonds that lasted throughout his life. He never met a stranger and never had a hard time fitting in no matter the setting. Jerry worked in sales most of his life and retired from Target Corporation where he enjoyed the work but truly valued the close ties with the incredible Target family. Above all, Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, whose love, support, and fun-loving nature will be sorely missed. When the COVID-19 pandemic made the twice-a-week family dinners too dangerous to gather, he really missed those times together. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. His inner child loved telling jokes, watching cartoons with his grandchildren, and living vicariously through the old westerns he loved to watch. In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by daughter-in-law Grace Marie (Rob) Ransom and their children Elijah Reed and Lena Sue Ransom of Hollidaysburg, PA; three daughters, Valerie Joleen (Jeff) Coffey and their children Brett Cameron and Phillip Clinton Coffey of Ohio; Jerilyn Lenore Ransom and her children Landen Robert (Ashley) of Indiana and Julianne Lenore Edwards Of Dallas, TX; and Vanessa Richelle (Matt) Bock and their children Jeremiah Blake, Taylor Christine and Alayna Noelle Bock of Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Robert L. and Evelyn Lenore (Rapp) Fry; brothers Charles Edson (Shirley) and James (Gail) Ransom; sister Patricia Ellen (Donald) Neukom; son Robert Harold (Grace Marie) Ransom; grandson Scott Christian Coffey and adored family cat Snickers. Calling: Friday, November 17, 3:30-6:30 pm at Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N Main Street Churubusco, IN. Masonic services at 6:30 pm, public welcome. Saturday, November 18, calling Noon-4:00 pm at the Church with Celebration of Life to follow. Memorials to Churubusco United Methodist Church, Scott C Coffey Memorial Scholarship Fund (payable to Apollo Educational Foundation) or donor's choice.