Elvin L. Rankin

Elvin L. Rankin, 88 year old resident of Gentry, Ark., died Oct. 7, 2016 in Siloam Springs, Ark. Born May 28, 1928 in Stilwell, Okla., he was the son of Marvin Rankin and Liddie Coleman Rankin. Elvin married Dorothy Speed on June 11, 1952 in Siloam Springs and loved her faithfully for over 60 years. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the U.S. Air Force as an AP prop mechanic balancing airplane props. In the late 1950s, Elvin co-owned Rankin-Walker Automatic Transmission Service located on East Main in Siloam Springs. Elvin was a cattleman in the Gentry-area for 63 years. He enjoyed old time country music, Sunday dinners with family and friends at La Hacienda II, teasing his grandkids, and swapping stories with friends over coffee at McDonald's in Gentry and Cafe on Broadway in Siloam Springs. He and his two year old great-grandson, Dean Wimberly, shared a special bond and a mutual love for horses. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Rankin; one daughter, Sharon Rankin; one sister, Viola Walker; and two brothers, B.J. Rankin and Ore Lee Rankin. He is survived by one daughter, Glenda Manos and husband Larry of Siloam Springs; two sons, Larry and Gary Rankin of Gentry; seven grandchildren: Traci Letellier and husband Casey, Corrie Wimberly and husband Brandon, Amy Mayberry and husband Scott, Angie Kirkpatrick, Jerred Rankin and wife Kayla, Nathan Amos and wife Vilgen, and Regina Amos; and eight great-grandchildren: Boyd Wimberly, Dean Wimberly, Stone Mayberry, Briar Mayberry, Jaxon Milsap, Presley Kirkpatrick, Astralia Roman, and Asia Amos. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016 at Siloam Springs Bible Church, with Brother Wayne Thomas of Kind at Heart Ministries officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonsfuneralhome.com. The family wishes to thank the staff at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation for the kindness and love they showed toward Elvin.