Merlyn J. Ranker

Merlyn J. “Merle” Ranker, 90, of Tiffin, passed away on Thursday afternoon, January 2, 2020 in Elmwood at The Shawhan.

He was born on August 10, 1929, in Tiffin, Ohio, to Urban and Margaret (Hess) Ranker.  On September 2, 1950, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, he married Barbara Kuhn and she preceded him in death on September 9, 2017.

Survivors include four children, Alan Ranker of Maumee, Susan (Rick) Lease of Sycamore, Daniel Ranker of Columbus and Beverly (Jim) Shaffer of Tiffin; four grandchildren, Lt. Col. Michael (Michelle) Lewis of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Audra (Nate) Dentinger of Bloomville, Andrea (Aaron Hull) Shaffer and Luke Shaffer, both of Tiffin; nine great grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Benjamin and Annabelle Lewis, Brock, Lenna and Remi Dentinger, and Norah and Foster Hull; sister, Doris (Robert) Maiberger of Tiffin; and sister-in-law, Gini Kuhn of Denver, CO.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Urban, Jr., Paul and Norman; sisters, Miriam Stephens and infant sister, Virginia; brother-in-law, Phillip Kuhn; and grandson, Dave Lewis.

Merle graduated from Tiffin Columbian High School in 1947 and attended Tiffin Business School.  He was co-owner, with his brother Paul, of Ranker Sinclair Service Station and retired in 1991.  Many Tiffin residents have fond memories of going to the gas station to “filler up”, get the oil checked and have their windshield cleaned in any kind of weather, and also, as children, stopping for candy after school; especially the 2 for a penny red-hot dollars.  Merle served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954.

Merle enjoyed fishing, auctions and was an avid bowler in the Elks League.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus.

His Funeral Service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424 with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating .  Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the United Veterans Council.

Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the Service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Catholic School Tuition Assistance, Seneca County Jr. Fair Foundation or to Stein Hospice.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.

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