Delbert Earl Rankin

, age 82 of rural Lomax, Illinois died at 12:10 a.m. Monday May 30, 2011 in the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Center in Stronghurst. He was born February 16, 1929, near Raritan, the son of Elmer and Pauline VanArsdale Rankin. On June 11, 1954, he married Elizabeth Landrum.

Mr. Rankin farmed all of his life in the Stronghurst and Terre Haute areas. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in Korea for thirteen months during the Korean War. He was a lifetime member of the Stronghurst American Legion Post # 765 and served as Adjutant for fifty years. He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association of Illinois and the Terre Haute United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking, collecting and restoring antique tools, and he loved raising and caring for his cattle.

Survivors include his wife, his twin sister- Delta Pearl (George) Sinn of Delavan, IL., one brother- Dean (Helen) Rankin of Alexis, IL., and nineteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister- Ruth Norquest, and one brother- Donald Rankin.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday June 2, 2011 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Rev. Paul Smith officiating. Burial, with military rites by the Stronghurst American Legion, will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Banks & Beals, where the family will be present from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials have been established for the Stronghurst American Legion Scholarship Fund, Terre Haute United Methodist Church Building Fund, and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.