Obituaries

Barbara Ann (Ransdorf) Ericson

May 30, 1943 - June 21, 2026

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday June 27th at the Laughrey Funeral Home, 1 N. Broadway, Pennsville, NJ where friends may call from 12:00 to 1:00 PM prior to the service. Burial of cremains will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday June 29th at the North Bend Cemetery in North Bend, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Barbara can be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) at breakthrought1d.org, to assist in the research and cure against Type 1 Diabetes. Breakthrough T1D Online Donation Form or mailed to: Breakthrough T1D 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor New York, NY 10281 www.laughreyfuneralhome.com

Barbara Ann Ericson (Ransdorf), age 83, of Pennsville, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 21, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. She was born May 30, 1943, in Renovo, Pennsylvania. She was the only child of her beloved parents, Jennings R. and Margaret P. Ransdorf. She shared a powerful, loving bond, and immense closeness with them throughout her life. Even after their passing, she held tightly to their memory every day, portraying the values and love they gave her, in her own life as a wife, mother and grandmother.

Barbara graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1965 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education. She was an exceptional teacher touching the lives of her students for 32 years in Lancaster, PA, Long Island, NY, and at the John Fenwick Elementary School in the Salem City School District where she spent the majority of her career. During her time at the John Fenwick School, Barbara taught in various capacities but is most known for important work in developing a Pre-Kindergarten program for 4-year olds which still exists today. Barbara was named Teacher of the Year in the State of New Jersey, John Fenwick School Teacher of the Year, as well as the overall Salem City District Teacher of the Year, during her illustrious career.

Barbara shared a beautiful, vibrant life with her beloved husband, Paul F. Ericson. The couple wed in 1965 and built a devoted marriage that spanned 36 years until Paul’s passing in 2001. Together, Barbara and Paul shared a love for dancing, skiing, exploring, and entertaining. They enjoyed dressing up in their finest attire for fancy date nights to the theater, dancing, or fine dining. Barbara and Paul were blessed with three children. They are survived and lovingly remembered by their daughter, Samantha Ericson Turner, and her husband Jason of Blythewood, South Carolina, and their daughter Danielle Ericson Hitzel, and her husband Lewis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Barbara was predeceased in death by their youngest child, Christopher Ransdorf Ericson, who held a special piece of her heart. The loss of her son was a profound sorrow, and Christopher’s memory remained a deeply cherished, sacred piece of her heart every single day. Barbara was an exceptional mother, who led by example and taught her daughters to be strong, resilient, and independent women. She was exceedingly patient and deeply loving, yet possessed a fierce protectiveness and strength for her children.

Barbara’s most cherished role was that of GramB to her 4 granddaughters, Addison and McKenzie Hitzel, and Mollie and Sarah Turner. GramB was a staunchly devoted grandmother who lived for her family and truly enjoyed every single moment she could with her granddaughters. Despite the 3 and 10 hour drives to visit, she enjoyed volunteering and reading in their classrooms, taking them to the beach, going on adventures, reading to them, and taking them to the theater and museums. GramB taught them that sometimes it’s ok to have ice cream for dinner. She poured endless love, fun, and magic into their childhoods, creating beautiful memories that her granddaughters will carry in their hearts forever.

Barbara had many deep friendships that spanned across the years and places in her life. She had a very special, loving companion for the last 18 years, Richard Miller of Lock Haven, PA. They enjoyed PENN STATE football games, going to the beach, activities with friends, movies, and quiet nights at home.

Barbara had a great love of music of all genres and enjoyed this love with her granddaughters. She enjoyed traveling with friends, rooting for Penn State football and all of her granddaughter’s college football teams, and spending time at the beach with family in Avalon, Cape May and Charleston, SC. She was an avid reader and enjoyed walking her cherished puppy, Harley, around the Riverview Beach Park.