Rankin, Gerald L. 1912-1999

RANKIN, PURGETT, WELLS, SCURR, WISGERHOF, SMITH, SEIGFRIED

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/8/2010 at 19:58:22

The Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Nov. 29, 1999

GERALD L. RANKIN

Gerald L. Rankin, 87, of Grinnell died of cancer Thursday, Nov. 25, at Friendsip Manor.

Funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ken Wallace, pastor of the Newburg-Chester United Church of Christ, officiating. Casket bearers will be Kathy Scurr Ferguson; Joe and Steve Scurr; Jeff, Greg and Tim Wisgerhof; Jason, Sara and Nathan Rankin; and Joel, Ryan and Eric Smith.

Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home beginning Monday, and the family will be present from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

He was born Nov. 15, 1912, in Fithian, Ill., to George Lee and Jennie Beatrice Purgett Rankin. He spent his early years near Fithian and attended Cass and Biddel schools there. Following his mother's death, he moved to Grinnell in March 1924 to live with his uncle Montgomery Rankin. He attended Grant No. 2 School and Grinnell public schools.

He moved to Newton and graduated from Newton High School, then worked for Walton Bakery and Maytag in Newton.

He was married to Cleora Pauline Wells June 15, 1935, in Newton. They lived in Newton until 1945 when they moved to Gilman to farm. They later farmed west of Grinnell and near Lineville. Following his retirement from farming, they returned to Grinnell.

Mr. Rankin was past master of the Victor and Pomona Granges and was past president of the Jasper County Farm Bureau, the Jasper County Regional Planning Commission and Greater Opportunities, Inc.

He is survived by his son, Dennis of Lineville; four daughters, Janet Scurr of Gilman, Joyce Wisgerhof of Urbandale and Beverly Rankin and Debbie Smith, both of Grinnell; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Gertrude Seigfried of Peoria, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A memorial fund in his name will be established.