Obituary of Robert Rankin

Robert Samuel Rankin, Jr. Age 87, of Morris since 1975, and formerly of Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Morris Hospital with his family at his side. Born January 25, 1927 in Portageville, MO he was the son of Robert Samuel and Lenore (Robison) Rankin, Sr. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served in World War II. He worked as a maintenance mechanic his entire career, retiring from Liquid Air in 1992. He previously worked at the Joliet Arsenal and for Westinghouse and Armak. Surviving are his beloved wife of 62 years, Ella Mae (Sawyer) Rankin; his children, Joyce M. (Richard) Mitchell of Ava, MO, Jerry R. (Della) Rankin, Susan A. (Patrick) Dolan, Virginia L. Rankin, Elizabeth D. (Benjamin) Ordonez, and Pamela J. (Sudeep) Lamichhane, all of Morris, and Douglas S. Rankin of Orlando, FL; 12 grandchildren, Patience Mitchell, Jeffrey (Grace) Mitchell, Tanya (Joshua) Downey, Sondra Rankin, Robert Dolan, Laura (Leon) Trevino, Leticia Ordonez, Isaac Ordonez, Crystal (Daniel) Webb, Mathieu Aspel, Deryk (Rebekah) Rankin, and Drake Devine-Rankin; five great-grandchildren, Ella Walker, Tyler Downey, Hope Downey, Isaac Mitchell and Emily Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents; one son, Thomas David Rankin; one daughter, Cheryl L. Rankin; and two sisters, Thelma Wright and Velvie Rankin in infancy. A memorial visitation for Robert Rankin will be held Thursday, April 3, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 1201 W. Route 6 at Deerpath Drive, Morris, where a service will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. Cremation Rites have been accorded and inurnment in Evergreen Cemetery will be at a later date. For information (815) 942-5040