Father Joe Ring

Father Joe Ring
Jacksonville - Father Joe Ring, 66, of Jacksonville, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born June 16, 1959, in Jacksonville, the son of James C. and Evelyn Ann Stolz Ring.
Father Joe is survived by his siblings, Mary Ann (Greg) Sullivan of Paris, Kevin (Penny) Ring of Effingham and Teresa (Dave) Cramer of Lafayette, Indiana, 16 nieces and nephews, and 24 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Rita Brink (surviving husband Phil of Aurora), and one great-nephew, Theo Brink.
Father Joe is a 1977 graduate of Paris High School. He felt the desire to enter the priesthood from a young age so following high school graduation enrolled in Kenrick Seminary. He was ordained on May 28, 1988, and began his career as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary in Taylorville and went on to serve at 40 Martyrs, Tuscola, St. Charles Borromeo, Charleston, St. James, Riverton, Resurrection, Illiopolis, and Christ the King Springfield. Currently Father Joe serves as Pastor for Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville. In addition, Father has served as chaplain at the Catholic Newman Center at Eastern Illinois University, director of the Department for Pro-Life Services, Charity, and Justice, and as the Bishop's Delegate for Health Care Professionals.
As Pastor at Our Saviour, Father Joe implemented and oversaw projects that successfully paid off debt from the 2018 Capital Campaign, created a Long-Range Plan for the church, updated the old rectory, and in 2025 initiated a new Capital Campaign to address deferred maintenance of campus buildings. For the future of Our Saviour Parish, Our Saviour School, and Routt Catholic High School, Father Joe had a vision for Community, Hospitality, Outreach, and Growth.
A lifelong learner, Father Joe earned a master's degree in human resource development at Webster University and a master's degree in Liturgy from the University of Notre Dame.
Father Joe learned to fly soon after graduating college and had recently made plans to return to the cockpit. He also enjoyed cycling and was proud to have completed a Century ride. In his 40's, after years of skiing, Father took up snowboarding and enjoyed yearly trips to the Colorado mountains.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Church of Our Saviour (453 East State Street) in Jacksonville. A luncheon will be held at Hamilton's at 110 North East Street following the Mass. A prayer service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Church of Our Saviour in Jacksonville, after which the family will meet friends until 6 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at St. Mary's Cemetery in Paris. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities, Our Saviour Centennial Campaign, or a Pro-Life charity of your choice. The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.