Date of death: 4/17/2011
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1945
Father Ringholz was born on July 11, 1919, in Sandusky, OH. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. Karl K. Alter February 24, 1945, at Rosary Cathedral, Toledo.Father Ringholz attended Sandusky St. Mary Grade School and graduated from St. Mary High School in 1937. He attended DeSales College, Toledo, and Saint Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, IN, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. His theological studies were at Mt. St. Mary of the West Seminary, Norwood. Advance studies were at Notre Dame College, Notre Dame, IN, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC and John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH.He served in the following parishes as associate pastor: St. Joseph, Tiffin; Good Shepherd, Toledo; St. Boniface, Oak Harbor; and St. Mary, Mansfield. His pastorates were Mother of Sorrows, North Auburn; St. Joseph, Crestline; Sacred Heart, Fremont; and St. Joseph, Monroeville. He retired from parish ministry on Oct. 1, 1990. Since then he assisted at a number of area parishes, including The Ohio Veterans’ Home and had been chaplain at Providence Care Center and the Commons of Providence, Sandusky.Father Ben was the former assistant principal at Calvert High School, Tiffin, also serving at St. Francis Convent, Tiffin; St. Francis Home, Tiffin; and Tiffin State Hospital as chaplain. Father Ringholz was a 3rd and 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus with chaplaincies at New Washington, Fremont and Monroeville.His Diocesan offices included Diocesan Consulter, Building Committee, Diocesan Development Fund, Priest Senate, Toledo Diocesan Assembly and Diocesan Pastoral Council. He was also active in the Cursillos Movement and Catholic Youth Organizations. Father Ben was inducted into the Sandusky Central Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame.In the local communities, he served as a member of the Marion-Crawford Community Action Committee, Huron County Drug and Alcohol Board and the Huron County Collaborative.He is survived by his four nieces, Janet (R. Keith) Miller, Rosanne Cole, Geralyn (Tom) Cole-Smith and Diane Cole; two nephews, Dennis (Julia) Cole and Gerard Cole; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Father Ben is also survived by many friends whose lives he touched throughout his years in his ministry serving the Toledo Diocese.Father Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothea (Mantey) Ringholz; three sisters, Antoinette Melville, Dolores Taeger and Bernetta Cole; and his housekeeper, Dorothy Houck.Memorial contributions may be made to Sandusky Central Catholic Schools, 410 W. Jefferson St., Sandusky, OH 44870; Norwalk Central Catholic Schools, 140 S. Main St. Norwalk, OH 44857; or the Providence Fund, 2023 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870.Information obtained from the Advertiser Tribune online, www.advertiser-tribune.com