Obituary of Barry Joseph Rankin

Barry Joseph Rankin was called to eternal life on Thursday, January 18, 2018.  He was born on April 17, 1926 in St. Louis Missouri to Joseph and Loretta.  He shared 91 years of faith and love with all who knew him.  Beloved husband of Donna (Jabusch), devoted father of Christi (Ryan) Swier, most loving grandfather of Samuel Swier; eldest brother of  Edward (Jean deceased), James deceased (Marlene), Eugene (Peggy), Richard deceased( Dodie deceased) and Francis (Georgia); brother-in-law of Fr. Willard Jabusch; beloved uncle and cousin to many; friend, mentor and inspiration to countless.  

Ordained as a Passionist priest in1954, he received his doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1956 in Rome, Italy and then served/ministered and taught throughout the mid-west for 14 years .  While in Chicago he was a co-founder of  the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, IL. He married in 1970.  Barry worked for the Federal Government until retirement.  In 2011 Donna and Barry moved to the Oaks in Denville, NJ to be near their daughter, son-in-law and his greatest joy, Sam. 

Memorial visitation will be on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:00 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am at St. Catherine’s of Siena Church, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. On Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Evanston, Illinois, there will be another celebration of Barry’s Life at 1:30 pm followed by Mass at 2:00 pm at Sheil Chapel at Northwestern University.  Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the good work of the Sheil Chapel, Evanston, Il. by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org