Ronald E. Ranier

Ronald E. Ranier, 91 passed away peacefully, surrounded by members of his loving family, on March 29 in Ipswich, Mass.

Born Jan. 14, 1934, in Jeannette, Pa., Ron lived, worked and enjoyed loving relationships with family and friends there for more than 80 years before moving to Massachusetts with his wife, Jane, in 2022 to be close their son and his family.

The son of Francis Ranier and Josephine Ocepek Ranier, Ron graduated from Jeannette High School before serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Stationed in Cocoa Beach, Fla., he worked on radio towers for the MGM-1 Matador missile.

Following his military service, Ron joined the Elliott Company. He worked for the turbo-machinery firm in Jeannette until his retirement 46 years later.

On May 29, 1965, Ron married Mary Jane Wotus, and they enjoyed nearly 60 years in a loving relationship that included a wide circle of dear friends, as well as family. They loved going out with groups of relatives and friends for bowling and to get together over pizza and beer at Pitzer’s in Jeannette.

Although Ron enjoyed and worked hard at his job, he also loved to travel. During his Air Force service in Florida, he fell in love with the beaches there and always cherished the memory of seeing the Daytona 500 in its early days when the race was run on the hard sandy beach. He and Jane made many summer vacation trips to the Daytona area, always driving the 900 miles because they loved the journey. Joined by groups of friends, they enjoyed staying at Cypress Cove in Daytona Beach Shores. In 1984, the Raniers drove from Jeannette to Los Angeles visiting many national parks including the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore which were his favorites.

Ron loved sports and was a devout fan of Pittsburgh’s Penguins and Pirates. There was almost always a game on the radio or television at his house. When his son, young Ron, became an ice hockey player, father drove son to the rink faithfully, often arriving well before the 5 a.m. start of practice in order to give his son more ice time. He never missed a game.

When his grandchildren, Maggie Jane and Bennett Ranier, were born, Ron extended the same love and dedication to them.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bill Ranier. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, son Ronald A. Ranier, daughter-in-law Amy Bennett Ranier, grandchildren, Maggie and Bennett Ranier, and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends of Ron will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home, Inc. 409 W. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 837-0020. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the Pantalone Funeral Home.

Interment will be private in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Greensburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s honor to Westmoreland County Humane Society, PO Box 1552 Greensburg, PA 15601 or Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey, UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, 8000 Cranberry Springs Dr., Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

Ron’s family has entrusted his care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg. For online condolences / directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.