Earl LeRoy Rankin

Earl LeRoy Rankin, 92, of Harleysville, Pennsylvania passed away on February 13, 2021 after a short illness. A longtime resident of Lansdale, Lee retired from Nationwide Insurance in 1992 after a 38-year career. His wife Mary Jane died in 2009.

Born in Pittsburgh to William John Rankin and Kathryn Mae Hughes Rankin, he worked as a radio announcer and salesman before enlisting in the US Marine Corps. During the Korean War he joined the US Army, graduating from intelligence school as a Special Agent assigned to the Counter Intelligence Corps 109th detachment.

After the Army Lee joined Nationwide Insurance as a claim adjuster, earning promotions to District Manager and then Division Manager responsible for all field claims in eastern Pennsylvania. Committed to industry education and service, he earned the CPCU and RHU designations, and was past president of the Pennsylvania Claims Association, Lancaster Claims Association and Conestoga Toastmasters, former board member of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Assigned Claims Plan, and past Chairman of the Pennsylvania Professional Liability Joint Underwriting Association.

Lee was a 32nd degree Mason, a 64-year member of Masonic Lodge 43 in Lancaster, and a member of Harrisburg Consistory and Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg.

Predeceased by wife Mary Jane and older brother William, he is survived by children Bonnie and Scott, daughter-in-law Diane, grandchildren Taylor and Kaitlyn, his younger brother Jack, and Norma Lugar, beloved companion of the past nine years.

Lee was an avid reader and traveler, visiting all 50 states and much of Europe. A man of honor, kindness and high principles, he was fiercely loyal to family and country.

Private arrangements are through Huff & Lakjer, Lansdale. In lieu of flowers the family invites contributions to Grand View Hospice whose staff cared for Lee with compassion in his final weeks.