Clyde A. Ransel Jr., 81, of Clearfield died Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013 at his home. He was born Dec. 14, 1931 in Sigel, a son of the late Clyde A. Ransel and Margaret (Cohlepp) Ransel Mendenhall.
Mr. Ransel was employed as the office manager with Marathon Equipment for five years until retiring in 1994. Prior to that, he worked for the former Cameron Manufacturing for six years as the plant manager, the former Shortway Products for 11 years and for Sylvania Electric Products for 14 years. He also worked part-time at the Clearfield Airport for 18 years and Wilkinson Subaru, Curwensville, for many years.
He was a member of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield. He was a Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus, Reynoldsville Council No. 935, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Clearfield Council No. 409, where he served as financial secretary for 39 years.
He was also a member of the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6; the Robert Ferguson Post No. 842 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Curwensville; the Shortway Pilots Club, where he served as maintenance officer; and the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a private pilot and had a passion for flying. A veteran of the Korean War, he served with the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife, Sally M. (Mahlon McClure) Ransel, whom he wed June 19, 2010; four children, Randon P. Ransel of State College, Laurel Phillips and her husband, Albert of Phoenixville, Andrew Ransel and his wife, Margaret of Osceola Mills and Anita Sue Mead and her husband, Thomas of Bushkill.
Surviving are three grandchildren, Joshua Phillips, Alyse Phillips and Drew Mead; a sister, Judith Ann Minick and her husband, Kenneth of Summerville; a brother, Thomas Ransel and his wife, Darlene of Brookville; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ransel of Sigel.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith A. (Steele) Ransel on March 14, 2003 and a brother, William Ransel.
A Mass of Christian burial will be said at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield, with Msgr. H. Desmond McGee, Jr. as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Clearfield.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield. A Christian Vigil service will be held at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Francis Educational Endowment Fund, 212 S. Front St., Clearfield.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.