David Wood Ranken, age 81, a resident of Wheaton, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Wheaton Village Nursing Home.

He was born on September 25, 1943, at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, the eldest son of Tom and Betty Ranken.

He graduated from Morgan Park High School in January 1962, and he played the clarinet in the band. He took courses at Chicago State College to make time for entrance to go to Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, IA. He learned to sing a beautiful tenor/baritone in the choir.

With Vietnam looking over his shoulder, he enlisted in the US Army upon graduation in 1966. He went to the Army/ Navy music school in Norfolk for 6 months of training to play clarinets in the US Army band. After 6 months in basic training, stateside again he was stationed at Ft. Sheridan, IL for 1 year. He enjoyed frequent visits home arriving back to base after a lot of training after curfew. He and others proceeded to climb the fence, tearing their uniform pants on the way over!

He was assigned to Ft. Hood, TX, where he had the time of his life, learning to play the recorder and cause spelunking with his Army buddies. He developed a southern drawl which his mom had him drop when he returned to the family home in Chicago. He proudly owned a 1967 baby blue, Mustang, which took him on all sorts of adventures to singles groups: Moody Bible Institute, South Side Catholic Singles group, "Northies" and the Fourth Presbyterian Church all of Chicago.

A brief career in the mailroom at Morton Salt Co. convinced him to try substitute teaching in the various South Suburban high schools over the following 7 years. He then became a private investigator for Sowkup Ins Company. He was assigned to Joliet where he learned to enjoy Karaoke singing at the local bar on the weekends. A Scottish friend encouraged him to become a courier driver which he dearly loved because he wasn't tied behind a desk in the office. He drove all over the cities of Chicago, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Working until 10:30 pm regularly. He retired in December of 2008.

He heard about the ASCEND singles group at Christ Church, Oak Brook, and it was there that he met his future wife, Sharon Blanchard (on her 1st night there), in September 2000, just after his 57th birthday. They particularly enjoyed outdoor picnic concerts at Ravinia and Cantigny, Park South on the vast lawn. They discovered that they were both Methodist by faith and shared a love of classical music which sealed the deal. They married outdoors on August 19, 2001, by the Honorable Judge, Lewis V. Morgan JR., at Katheryn League Memorial Park in Hinsdale, IL. David and Sharon took up residence in a lowkey, old, 1985 vintage Victorian home in Wheaton. A quick honeymoon to Door County, Wisconsin, and later a train trip to Colorado for a family wedding where he introduced Sharon to his family. Upon retirement, Dave enjoyed watching Western movies on GRIT TV and anything related to WWII and would often watch into the wee hours of the morning! He liked to walk on the Prairie Path and in the Lincoln Marsh.

Dave joined GUMC on Sharon's 65th birthday and often participated in the Choir and Men's Bible Study at church.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Sharon M. Blanchard, his younger sister, Patricia of Nederland, CO., and his nieces Julie (Zach Halpenny) and Michelle Venter both of Loveland, CO. His grandnephew, Dakota Baldwin – Halpenny (Crystal) of Topeka, KS and his grandniece, Cheyanne Halpenny of Loveland, Co. His stepdaughter, Jeannine (Larry) Johnson, and step-granddaughter Ashley Johnson, are all of Orlando, FL. Stepson, Frank Major of Southwick. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Ranken, infant younger brother, John Thomas, brother–in–law, Gil Gyllenborg, nephew-in-law, Lee Venter.

David lived a very full life!

A Memorial Service for David will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 1pm at Gary Methodist Church (224 N Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187)

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com .