Rev. James W. Rankin

Rev. James William Rankin, 90, of Delphi, passed away Jan. 1, 2008, at 2:10 p.m. at St. Mary Health Care Center in Lafayette, where he had been a resident since 2004.

Rev. Rankin was born Jan. 8, 1917, at his family home in Brownstown, the youngest of seven children born to David Franklin and Jessie Bell Rankin.

He was a 1935 graduate of Brownstown High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hanover College in 1939, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He then continued his studies at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, earning his degree in 1942. He was examined for ordination at Hanover and ordained in the Presbyterian Church in March 1942.

Rev. Rankin married Laura Huber, his college sweetheart, on June 24, 1942, in Hanover. After their marriage, they moved to Palestine, Ill., where he served the city's Presbyterian church.

When WWII broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a chaplain on Guam and Tinian Islands in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to 1946. When the war ended, he returned to Illinois and served the Presbyterian church in Assumption until 1950. He was then called to serve at Delphi First Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed a long and successful pastorate.

He was called to active duty again in 1952 and served as a U.S. Navy chaplain stationed in the Phillipines during the Korean Conflict. Until his death, he held the rank of Lt. Commander in Ready Reserve of the U.S. Navy.

In 1965, Rev. Rankin was called to serve the Presbyterian church in Janesville, Wis., where he did so faithfully until his retirement in 1980. During his pastorate there, he was instrumental in coordinating youth activities within the church as well as Presbyterian church camps in southern Wisconsin. He also led youth caravans across the continental United States and Alaska.

In 1980, he and Laura returned to Delphi to enjoy their retirement years among old friends. In 1992, the Delphi church elected to honor him with the distinction of Pastor Emeritus.

Rev. Rankin was very involved in the Delphi community through work with the Carroll County Mental Health and Tuberculosis associations. He served for many years as an elections worker and on jury selection committees. He donated blood for more than 58 years and was awarded a 20-gallon donor pin.

He served on the council of the Presbyterian Synod of Indiana and on several Wabash Valley Presbytery committees. Even after his retirement, Rev. Rankin continued to serve the church by filling vacant pulpits throughout northern Indiana.

Surviving are: a son, Tom (wife: Pam) of Round Lake, Ill.; a daughter, Jean Dilley (husband: Jim) of Janesville; six grandchildren, Jessica Thicksten (husband: Zach) of Escondido, Calif., J.R. Rankin of Delphi and Jace, Alyson, Jim and Kyle Dilley of Janesville; a great-grandson, Evan of Delphi; and many cherished relatives including Jeanne Rankin, Louis Huber, Bill and Jane Huber and several nieces and nephews.

Rev. Rankin was preceded in death by his wife, who passed away Jan. 2, 2005, and six brothers and sisters.

Services were Jan. 5 at Delphi First Presbyterian Church, and were officiated by reverends Bill S. McLean and Bruce A. Jones. Military rites were conducted by Delphi American Legion and VFW. Burial will be at Hanover Cemetery in Hanover at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian churches of Delphi and Janesville.

Davidson Funeral Home in Delphi was entrusted with arrangements.

"The world has lost a wonderful person, but Heaven has gained one great soul."