Wesley E. Rank

Wesley E. “Wes” Rank, age 75, of Gnadenhutten, died Monday, May 12, 2025 in his residence following a period of declining health.

Born in Dennison on December 4, 1949, Wes was a son of the late Robert E. and Dorothy E. Johnson Rank. He was a graduate of the former Indian Valley South High School and was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.

He worked for many years at the former ALSCO in Gnadenhutten and also worked on his family farm where he raised beef cattle and crops.

On January 29, 1972, he married the former Brenda Stephen. Together the couple had two daughters and celebrated 46 years of marriage prior to Brenda’s passing on December 2, 2018.

Wes had a passion for Farmall tractors, hard work, and his family. He was always quick to find a project to work on around the farm or find a project for others to take on. He enjoyed watching wrestling, attending and participating in tractor pulls and traveling up and down Fox Valley on his Polaris Ranger.

He will be missed by his daughters, Jennifer Grove, Megan (Ashley Hupp) Rank all of Gnadenhutten, his grandchildren, Chelsea (Austin) Reichman, Ciara Grove, Grant Long, and Garrett Long; his beloved great-granddaughter, Wrenley Reichman, and his good friend “Wild Bill” Hupp.

In addition to his parents and wife, Wes was preceded in death by a sister, Edna K. Gallion; and his friend, Jerry Wilson.

The family will greet guests on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 4 – 7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Brian Flood will lead a service at 2 PM on Friday, May 16, 2025, in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in the Fry’s Valley Moravian Church Cemetery, where the Carl C. Stoller VFW Post 1445 of New Philadelphia will perform military honors.