John E. Ransom
John E. Ransom, age 89, of Sullivan, MO, passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
John Elbert was born on March 11, 1929 in Esther, MO, to John P. and Ruby (Ball) Ransom. He graduated high school in 1947 and went to work at E.C. Robinson Lumberyard in Farmington, MO. On June 9, 1949, John was united in marriage to Mary Ruth Parks of Elvins, MO and they were happily married for 69 years, until Mary’s passing. They were blessed with two sons, Joe and John. As a young man, John tried out for and made the St. Louis Browns baseball team. Due to the required traveling, he did not feel it was the best choice for his family. His love of baseball continued throughout his life. He played for several local teams in the Lead Belt area. Then, as his sons grew, he coached their teams. You could usually find him watching or tuning in anytime the Cardinals were playing. In the early 1960’s, John moved his family to the Sullivan area. He was employed at the Pea Ridge Iron Ore Mining Co., where he was a foreman. Upon his retirement, he and Mary enjoyed working in their yard and gardening. Throughout their marriage, they built several houses, one of which they shared until their passing. John was a loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
John is survived by two sons, Joe Ransom and wife Rosemary of Sullivan, MO, and John Ransom of Manchester, MO; two grandchildren, Jessica Ransom and fiancé Jamie McCane of Sullivan, and Mathew Ransom of Manchester, MO; two great-grandchildren, Alexis Self and Chase Chapman; 2 brothers, Jimmy Ransom and wife MaDonna of Farmington, MO, and Michael Ransom and wife Lorene of Cuba, MO; four sisters, Margaret Watts of Desloge, MO, Charlotte Hall and husband Ray of Fairfield, CA, Phyllis Sherrill of Desloge, MO, and Sue Bess and husband Richard of Desloge, MO; sister-in-law, Bonnie Ransom; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ruth (Parks) Ransom on June 21, 2018; his parents, John and Ruby (Ball) Ransom; two brothers, Donald Caree and Larry Ransom; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Watts and Don Sherrill.
Funeral services were conducted 1 p.m., Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan. Pastor Matt Dudley officiated. Interment followed in I.O.O.F. Memorial Cemetery in Sullivan.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, at the Eaton Funeral Home.
Memorial Contributions, in memory of John, may be given to the American Heart Association.
Friends may send online condolences to the family of Mr. Ransom at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan and Bourbon, MO.