Ilene K. Rankin
1933-2021
Ilene Katherine Rankin, age 87, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at War Memorial Hospital.
Born April 2, 1933 in the North Mountain area of Hedgesville, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Charles Frederick Sensel, Sr. and Nora Mabel Cunningham Sensel.
She was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.
Ilene worked at London Fog Manufacturing Factory in Hancock, Md., Dorbees Clothing Manufacturing in Hagerstown, Md. and Clark’s in Berkeley Springs, and in recent years was a homemaker to her family.
She was a member of Alderton-Dawson American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit #60 in Berkeley Springs, and NARVRE Railroad Retirement.
Ilene loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She enjoyed working on puzzles, going on bus trips and watching TV, especially “The Andy Griffith Show” and the “Golden Girls.”
Ilene is survived by her children, Debra Sue Ditto, John Philip Ditto, Jr. and his wife Libby, Jeffery Tobias Ditto and his wife Tina, all of Berkeley Springs, Jennifer Lynn Shackelford of Evans, Ga.; one stepson, William Lee “Butch” Rankin of Falling Waters, W.Va.; two sisters, Alma Jean Gregory and Darleen Carol Miller, both of Berkeley Springs; five grandchildren, Lisa Jo Hovermale and her husband Gale, Jr., Chantel Damaris Oakley and Brandi Ellen Scott, all of Berkeley Springs, Brandy Lynn Swope and her husband Matt, both of Needmore, Pa., Jonathan Vasile Shackelford and wife Renee, both of Evans, Ga.; three step-grandchildren, Darren Lee Rankin, of Hancock, Md., Dana Rae Rankin, of Berkeley Springs, Vaughn Ray Rankin, of Hedgesville, W.Va.; nine greatgrandchildren, Harlie Lynn Larrick, Mary Elizabeth Fritz, Matthew Scott Swope, Jr., Ryder Matthew Oakley, Emma Katherine Swope, Ryker Jakob Reed Swisher, Eli Tobias Fox, Dominic Lewis Fox, Amelia Tracy Shackelford; three great great grandchildren and numerous step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Lester “Buzz” Rankin on February 5, 1988; one stepdaughter, Ellen Diane Francis; her sister, Douglass Ellen Miller; one brother, Charles Frederick Sensel, Jr.; her grandson, Robert Augustus McCollum; one great granddaughter, Riley Grace Crossman; her son-in-law, John Alan Shackelford.
Celebration of Life services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 165 Pious Ridge Road, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., where the family received friends one hour prior to services. Pastor Chuck Bergen officiated. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ilene’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsley johnsonfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
