Walter Arthur Rankin, 92, Foster, Mo., died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler, Mo. Services were April 10 at the Hume United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kay Zimmer officiating. Burial in Salem Cemetery, Foster. Arrangements by Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hume United Methodist Church. Mr. Rankin was born March 26, 1911, at Ransom, Kansas to Charley and Lillie Bell Brown Rankin. He grew up in the Foster area and graduated from high school at Pleasanton, Kansas. On July 19, 1940, he married Genevieve Schooley at Rich Hill, Mo. She preceded him in death on November 25, 1986. On May 12, 1990, he married widow Irene Stoddard Mellenburch, she survives him.
On February 24, 1943, he joined the United States Army. He served in World War II as a driver in the 741st Tank Battalion, Company B. He participated in the Normandy invasion in Northern France, Ardannes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns throughout the war, receiving the American Theater Victory Ribbons, two overseas service bars and the Good Conduct Medal. After the war he returned to the Foster area where his wife and son were waiting. He then worked as a farmer, hauled livestock, grain and coal. He also worked in the coal mines around Foster with his father and brother-in-law, Reuben and Marion Schooley. He always enjoyed traveling around the United States and visiting with family and friends.
He was baptized into the United Methodist Church as a young man. When his great-grandchildren came along, they were a joy and he spent much time as possible with them. Son Jim Rankin ans his father farmed together and trucked as long as Mr. Rankinm was able. He was active in the church and community and was always ready to help out if he could.
On February 24, 1943, he joined the United States Army. He served in World War II as a driver in the 741st Tank Battalion, Company B. He participated in the Normandy invasion in Northern France, Ardannes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns throughout the war, receiving the American Theater Victory Ribbons, two overseas service bars and the Good Conduct Medal. After the war he returned to the Foster area where his wife and son were waiting. He then worked as a farmer, hauled livestock, grain and coal. He also worked in the coal mines around Foster with his father and brother-in-law, Reuben and Marion Schooley. He always enjoyed traveling around the United States and visiting with family and friends.
He was baptized into the United Methodist Church as a young man. When his great-grandchildren came along, they were a joy and he spent much time as possible with them. Son Jim Rankin ans his father farmed together and trucked as long as Mr. Rankinm was able. He was active in the church and community and was always ready to help out if he could.
Walter Arthur Rankin, 92, Foster, Mo., died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler, Mo. Services were April 10 at the Hume United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kay Zimmer officiating. Burial in Salem Cemetery, Foster. Arrangements by Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hume United Methodist Church. Mr. Rankin was born March 26, 1911, at Ransom, Kansas to Charley and Lillie Bell Brown Rankin. He grew up in the Foster area and graduated from high school at Pleasanton, Kansas. On July 19, 1940, he married Genevieve Schooley at Rich Hill, Mo. She preceded him in death on November 25, 1986. On May 12, 1990, he married widow Irene Stoddard Mellenburch, she survives him.
On February 24, 1943, he joined the United States Army. He served in World War II as a driver in the 741st Tank Battalion, Company B. He participated in the Normandy invasion in Northern France, Ardannes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns throughout the war, receiving the American Theater Victory Ribbons, two overseas service bars and the Good Conduct Medal. After the war he returned to the Foster area where his wife and son were waiting. He then worked as a farmer, hauled livestock, grain and coal. He also worked in the coal mines around Foster with his father and brother-in-law, Reuben and Marion Schooley. He always enjoyed traveling around the United States and visiting with family and friends.
He was baptized into the United Methodist Church as a young man. When his great-grandchildren came along, they were a joy and he spent much time as possible with them. Son Jim Rankin ans his father farmed together and trucked as long as Mr. Rankinm was able. He was active in the church and community and was always ready to help out if he could.
On February 24, 1943, he joined the United States Army. He served in World War II as a driver in the 741st Tank Battalion, Company B. He participated in the Normandy invasion in Northern France, Ardannes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns throughout the war, receiving the American Theater Victory Ribbons, two overseas service bars and the Good Conduct Medal. After the war he returned to the Foster area where his wife and son were waiting. He then worked as a farmer, hauled livestock, grain and coal. He also worked in the coal mines around Foster with his father and brother-in-law, Reuben and Marion Schooley. He always enjoyed traveling around the United States and visiting with family and friends.
He was baptized into the United Methodist Church as a young man. When his great-grandchildren came along, they were a joy and he spent much time as possible with them. Son Jim Rankin ans his father farmed together and trucked as long as Mr. Rankinm was able. He was active in the church and community and was always ready to help out if he could.
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