Cheryl C. Rankin

Cheryl Christine Rankin, 77, peacefully passed away on February 23rd, surrounded by her loving family. After a long and courageous battle with breast cancer, she demonstrated incredible strength and resilience. Cheryl was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose love and wisdom shaped the lives of those around her. She was a woman of immense strength who instilled that same strength in her family.

Cheryl had a deep affection for the color purple, reading books, completing puzzles, cooking, and listening to Elvis. To know her was to be embraced as part of her family, and she treated everyone she met as her own. She was a beloved member of both the Ellet cluster and Akron Council PTAs as well as a proud employee of Akron Public Schools. We will all miss her witty banter, her heartfelt comments on Facebook, and the playful competition of always trying to say “I love you more” first.

Her greatest joy was supporting her family, remaining steadfast through both the good times and the challenges. Cheryl is survived by her devoted husband, JR; her children Gary (Julie), Christine (Rick), Greg (Rachel), Jody (Michael), and Deena; and 10 grandchildren, Hannah, Emily, Allie (Jeff), Cody, Timmy, Max, Zach (Taylor), Clay, Shelby, and Darbey.

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Tuesday, March 4th, at Newcomer Funeral Home (131 N. Canton Rd., Akron) where services will be held at 5:00pm with Pastor Tom Hendershot officiating. The family invites all to wear purple in Cheryl's honor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Summa Hospice or the American Cancer Society. And as Cheryl would want us all to remember: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”

To share a memory of Cheryl or leave a special message for her family, visit the guest book below.