Obituaries

Ralph Joseph Pranger passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026, just 14 days shy of his 98th birthday. He was born on January 23, 1928 in Covington, Kentucky, the son of Frank Nicholas and Mary Georgina (Harmeling) Pranger.

He graduated from Covington Catholic High School and earned a B.S. in Education and an M.A. in History from the University of Dayton. He then earned an M.S. in Guidance Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh.

He was a teacher at many schools in his career. He specialized in English, French, history, Latin, mathematics and science and performed various Catholic missionary work in Africa, including establishing a technical school in Malawi. He finished his career as a Guidance Counselor for 18+ years at St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati before retiring in 1994. When he wasn't teaching, he was painting and cartooning.

He was preceeded in death by his wife Jeanette Carolyn Pranger (née Mudd), sister Mary Louise Pranger, brother Arthur B. Pranger (Rose), and sister Mary Joan Saalfeld (née Pranger).

Cherished uncle to Gary Pranger (Mary), Patricia (née Pranger) Enzweiler (Steve), Christopher Pranger (Denise), John Pranger, Mary (née Pranger) Brown (Jim), Larry Pranger (Michelle), Donna (née Pranger) Gurren (Bob), and many other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Xavier High School Scholarship Fund, 600 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 or online at www.st.xavier.org/support-st-x/make-a-gift.