Phyllis Jean (Goodwin) Rankin

Phyllis Jean Rankin, of Lonaconing, MD died June 24, 2023 at UPMC Western Maryland Hospital in Cumberland, MD. She was born September 13, 1931, in Lonaconing, daughter of the late Raymond and Maria (Jones) Goodwin.

Phyllis was married to the late Calvin Rankin of Defiance, PA. His death in 2014  ended a marriage of 64 years. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by a sister Helen Smith of Lonaconing, sister Colleen Kuhn of Ohio, brother Raymond Austin of Frostburg, son-in-law Michael Criss, of Clarksburg, MD and a niece, Arlene Beeman, Lonaconing, who was like a sister to her.

Surviving are three daughters, Marcia Criss, Clarksburg, MD, Lisa Hill and husband Charles, Cumberland MD, Melissa Mackley and husband Chuck, Williamsport MD, four grandchildren Jennifer Hill Petosky, Jonathan Hill, Elizabeth Mackley, Christopher Mackley, a brother Dr. Leslie Goodwin and wife Margaret Ann of Bel Air MD, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Phyllis graduated from Central High School in 1949. She worked for the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Monmouth, NJ when her husand was recalled to the army during the Korean War. She later worked at the White Oaks Naval Facility at White Oaks, MD. After the birth of her first child she became a stay at home mom. 

She was an active member of First United Methodist Church since 1945. She and her late husband loved to travel and were able to visit nearly all of the 50 states. She loved music, reading, knitting, sewing and made most of her daughters’ clothes when they were young. She enjoyed playing cards and belonged to a card club since 1964. She liked to make people laugh with her humor and her jokes and often would laugh louder than anyone. She credits her good friends and neighbors with helping her overcome her grief after the death of her husband and making it possible for her to stay in her own home for so long. She felt truly blessed by so many good people in her life.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 7-9 PM at Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Lonaconing. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Lonaconing on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Marjorie Hurder-Buhrman officiating. Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Rocky Gap Cemetery, Flintstone.

If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund at First United Methodist Church, 14 Church Street, Lonaconing, MD 21539.

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