Donetta Leigh (Sexton) Rankin

Donetta Leigh Rankin, 79, of Galion, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Monday, May 26, 2025. Donetta was born in Ashland, Kentucky, on May 13, 1946, to the late parents Charles Jr. and Julia Sexton.

Donetta grew up in Rush, Kentucky, and later moved to the Crestline Galion area to raise her family. She married her soulmate, David Rankin, on August 6, 1964, and he has been by her side ever since. Together, they have enjoyed 60 years of taking drives to Lake Erie, sometimes just to get ice cream, visiting Amish country, many vacations, including bus trips, and going back "home" to Kentucky to visit family.

Family was everything to Donetta. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially for family holiday dinners. They will always remember enjoying eating her Easter bunny cake, Christmas cookies (60 to 70 dozen), and the best lemon meringue and coconut pies. Donetta found joy in listening to her husband singing songs while playing his keyboard and guitar. She took pride in her gardening, especially her rose bushes.

Donetta retired from Lifetouch after 15 years of service with them as a supervisor.

Left to cherish Donetta's memories are her husband David Rankin, children; Donna (John Moser) Lyons, Diana (Mike) Peters, Dave (Ginny) Rankin, grandchildren; Bobby (Amy) Llewellyn, Mike Llewellyn, Cody Noggle, Cheyenne Vaughan, Dalton and Lexi Rankin, many great-grandchildren, and her beloved dog Lobo.

Being the oldest of nine children, Donetta helped raise many of her siblings and packed her daddy's lunch for work. Donetta's siblings, who will also cherish their memories of her are Nelda Parsons, Pat (Ron) Parsons, Pam (Steve) Padgett, Paula (Kendall) Jordan, Janice (Glenn) Parsons, Chuck (Bert) Sexton, Ron (Shonnie) Sexton, Robin (Daniel), and sisters-in-law, Judy Harthan and Peggy McBride.

Along with Donetta's parents, she is preceded in death by grandparents, Charles Sr. and Georgie Sexton, father-in-law, Oscar Rankin, mother-in-law, Elizabeth Scott, infant son David Jeffrey, infant brother Tommy Sexton, sister-in-law Dorothy Thomas, and brother-in-law Larry Parsons.

Friends may call on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Gompf Funeral Service, Galion Chapel, 303 Portland Way North, Galion, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Services will immediately follow at 12:00 pm. Burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery following the service.

The family would like to thank the Southern Care Hospice care staff, especially Brittany, Deanna, and Pastor Paul for their kind and comforting care.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Southern Care Hospice.

Those wishing to share a memory of Donetta or send condolences to the Rankin family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Gompf Funeral Service, Galion Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Donetta Leigh Rankin.

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