The Rev. Ernest Ranly, C.PP.S., 81, died at 4 a.m. Nov. 18, 2011, in the infirmary at St. Charles Center, Carthagena.

He was born Feb. 19, 1930, in Cassella to Peter and Sophia Speck Ranly.

Surviving are three brothers, Paul (Marie) Ranly, Minster, Orville (Alma) Ranly, Philothea, and Don (Joan) Ranly, Columbia, Mo.; two sisters, Lucille Droesch, Maria Stein, and Ella Mae (Ralph) Liette, Chickasaw; and two sisters-in-law, Eileen Ranly, Maria Stein, and Rosemary Obringer, Coldwater.

Deceased are seven siblings, Alvina Klosterman, Norbert Ranly, the Rev. Victor Ranly, C.PP.S., Hilda Obringer, Sister Theresa Joseph Ranly, Arthur Ranly and Rita Flaute, and in-laws, Walter Klosterman, Bernard Droesch, Ethel Ranly, Florus Obringer and Raymond Flaute.

He entered the Society of the Precious Blood in 1944 and was ordained June 2, 1956. He was assigned to teach philosophy and religion at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind., and after 17 years requested assignment to the Precious Blood mission in Peru.

Ranly spent the next 35 years in the South American country doing parish work, preaching missions in remote rural areas, teaching, writing and vocation/formation work. He also served as director of the Peruvian mission.

In 2005, he led the Society of the Precious Blood into new territory as the Cincinnati province established a mission in Colombia. He directed the mission from Bogota until he reluctantly returned to the U.S. in 2008 due to failing eyesight.

In retirement at St. Charles, he continued his ministry by translating the spiritual writings he had done in South America and ministering to Spanish-speaking Catholics in West Central Ohio. He also published his memoirs entitled "Picking Up Stuff," which told the story of life as a youngster on the family farm near Cassella.

Funeral Mass is 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles, the Rev. Larry Hemmelgarn officiating and the Rev. Ken Schroeder serving as homilist. Burial will follow at the community cemetery.

Calling is 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles. A vigil service will be held there at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater, has charge of arrangements.