Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Bernadine Rankin
Oct 23rd, 1917 - Jul 21st, 2016Bernadine Rankin, age 98, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday morning, July 21, 2016, at Flora Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Flora.
Bernadine was born in Flora on October 23, 1917, to Samuel McCullough Bryden and Frances Susan McCommons Bryden. Sam was a building contractor and Frances was a school teacher. Bernadine graduated from Harter / Stanford High School in 1934. Her older brother, Norman, who preceded her in death, was a woodworker and cabinet maker and served as mayor of Flora. Her sister, Jane, lives in Flora in one of the many homes built by her father. Bernadine married Harold Rankin in 1940 and together they owned and operated the Rankin Photography Studio. Later they purchased the Flora Greenhouse and operated it until Harold died suddenly of a heart attack in 1967.
After Harold’s death Bernadine became the administrator for Branson Manor Shelter Care home (later re-named Flora Manor). Under her guidance this facility became the second home in Illinois to be certified for the exclusive care of the mentally disabled. Bernadine continued in this position until she retired after 18 years of service. At this time she launched another career doing extensive volunteer work and traveling both nationally and internationally. In 2006 a residential home for developmentally disabled adults in Flora, Rankin Estates, was named in her honor. At the dedication the administrator said “Bernadine has spent her life working to improve the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.” Bernadine was the organist at the First Baptist Church in Flora for over sixty years, and received many awards over the years. She was recognized as Flora’s Woman of the Year in 1992 and Petersen Health Care Volunteer of the Year in 2007. She served on the Flora Library Board and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Hospital Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and the Flora Garden Club.
Bernadine is survived by her sister, Jane Gilliland; her daughter, Janna Rankin; her wonderful son-in-law, Arthur Frakt; two grandsons, Alex (Agata) Frakt and David (Lyudmyla) Frakt; three great-grandsons, Max, Quinn, and Danny; and one great-granddaughter, Roxie. She was very fond of her nephews and nieces, Joan, David, and Margaret Bryden; Jon, Joe, and Carole Gilliland; and Eddie, Chuck, and Karen Rankin.
A funeral service for Bernadine Rankin will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Flora. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Saturday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. In lieu of flowers a gift may be made in her memory to the Flora Public Library Endowment Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.