George W. Ringer

George W. Ringer, age 88 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at his home.

Born in East Amwell Township, NJ, January 3, 1922, he was the son of the late Louis and Louise Kosel Ringer.

He was formerly Sports Editor and later Associate Editor of the former Hunterdon Republican Newspaper. He then returned to the family farm in East Amwell Township, raising poultry and then had a nursery where he grew Christmas trees, azaleas, mums, pansies, and strawberries.

In 1959, george went to work for Sears, Bridgewater, NJ, where he became manager of the sporting goods section and then of the clothing department, retiring in 1984.

In retirement, his interest in antiques led him to become a dealer at Main Street Antiques, Flemington, NJ and he participated in antique shows.

He also had several other interesets, including clock making, which he made out of almost anything, and he made eight grandfather clocks. He produced other wood crafts as well, selling them at shows and at Golden Talents, Flemington.

A lifelong lover of sports and sportsman, he played football for the Plough Jockeys which was a semi-pro team in Flemington. He was an avid bowler, bowling in a league most of his adult life. He took up golf at age fifty and loved it so much that he became a member of the Golf Collectors Society, collecting logo golf balls and hickory shafted clubs. He also bought and sold golf clubs. He was an avid hunter and fisherman for all of his life.

He was a lifelong member of the Amwell First Presbyterian Church of Reaville, NJ, where he served on the Board of Trustees, Sunday School, and was an Elder there for fifty years. His favorite bible verse was "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it". He lived his life as if each day was special and with faith, love, and optimism.

Surviving are his devoted and loving wife of fifty-two years, Nancy Hockenbury Ringer; a sister, Marion Mai of Ringoes, NJ; and his nieces and nephews, Marie Mai Gile, Kurt Mai, Carol Mai Indujer, Claire Mai Walker, Kevin Ringer, Eugene Ringer, Jr., Donna Ringer Longcor, Joy Ringer Burns, Patti Ringer Cerrato, Carla Hockenbury Sbrana, Craig Hockenbury, Clark Hockenbury, Caren Hockenbury Lloyd, Kurt Hockenbury, and Bruce Hockenbury. He is also survived by twenty grand nieces and nephews, and six great grand nieces and nephews, each of whom was special to him and he loved them all.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 1 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Reaville, NJ where for many years George was the Superintendent. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 7-9 PM in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hunterdon Hospice or the Hunterdon Medical Center Pulmonary Rehab Center, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.