Rankin

Keith Rudell Rankin, 73, of Knox died at 9:05 a.m. Friday at the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice House, Shippenville, after an extended illness.

Born on April 9, 1934, in Emlenton, he was the son of Nelson and Laura Burke Rankin.

Mr. Rankin was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church near Emlenton. He helped to establish many local churches of various denominations.

He worked at the Quaker State Refinery in Emlenton, Ti-Brook near Eau Claire and Brookville, and was retired from the Evergreen Construction Co. of Corsica.

Mr. Rankin was an avid hunter from his early years and attended auctions whenever possible. He also enjoyed NASCAR and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Exley Rankin, whom he married Sept. 18, 1999; a son, Michael "Mike" R. Rankin of Parker; three stepsons, David Reddinger of Cranberry, Venango County, Larry Reddinger of Knox, and Ken Reddinger of Fairfax, Va.; two stepdaughters, Molly Reddinger and Mrs. Thomas (Latrisha) Ratliff, all of Hayes, Va.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 18 step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Survivors also include a brother, Lavell "Pete" Rankin of Clintonville, and two sisters, Arlene Sherman of Lamartine and Mrs. Jack (Dorothy) Stalker of Florida. His first two wives, Martha Fill and Bessie Rankin, also survive.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, two brothers, and a sister.

<B>RANKIN — </B>Friends of Keith Rudell Rankin, who died Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the <B>H. JACK BUZARD FUNERAL HOME, </B>Main Street, Route 38, Eau Claire. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Mark Carpenter, pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the East Unity Cemetery, Cherry Valley.Memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship Baptist Church, 3727 Oneida Valley Road, Emlenton, PA 16373, or the VNA Hospice, Box 668, Knox, PA 16232.