Richard Rank

Richard Ervin Rank, 90, formerly of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away at home on Sunday, October 26, 2014. He was born on July 19, 1924, on the family farm near Marshalltown, Iowa, a son of Harry and Gertrude (Shelton) Rank. Richard grew up on the family farm, graduated from Green Mountain School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, became a corporal, and served his country honorably during World War II. Upon his return to the United States, he attended officer candidate school in Villanova. Due to illness in the family, he left the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge to help on the family farm. He was married to Betty Hulsizer, who preceded him in death. This union was blessed with the gift of five children: Jon, Rick, Tim, Robert, and Dianne. He farmed for several years, later becoming a mechanic at Modern Tractor in Marshalltown, Iowa. For the next 25 years, he owned and operated Dicks Starter and Generator, until his retirement. He was a life member of the VFW Post No. 39 of Union, Iowa, and a member of Conrad American Legion Post 681 for 47 years. He is survived by: three children, Jon Rank and his wife Patricia of Cole Camp, MO, Richard A. Rick Rank of Cole Camp, MO, and Dianne McDowell of Marshalltown, IA; his brother, Norman Rank of Marshalltown, IA; six grandchildren, Devin, Sage, Tasha, Shawna, Joel and Stacey; and nine great-grandchildren. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Gertrude Rank, his sons, Timothy and Robert, his sisters, Francis Nutter and Beverly Ralston and grandchildren Ryan and Bill Rank. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014, at Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp, Missouri and the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown.