Stephanie Sue Ranker, 53, passed away peacefully at approximately 4:20 a.m. on Sunday January 15, 2017 in Kokomo, Indiana, after a two year battle with brain cancer. Stephanie was born in York, PA on Sunday June 16, 1963, to John Richard Ranker and Shirley Joan Hoy. Throughout her life she resided in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama and Indiana. She was a 1981 graduate of John Piersol McCaskey High School, Lancaster, PA and a 1999 graduate of Empire Beauty School of York, PA. Stephanie was a competitive amateur artistic roller skater from the age of 7 into her early 20’s winning numerous awards and qualifying for the National Competition in 1979 held in Nebraska. She had a passion for volunteering. She started volunteering while still in high school as a Candy Striper, a volunteer EMT and onto becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, working for Conestoga View, Lancaster, PA, Pleasant Acres, York, PA, Waterford Place and Miller’s Merry Manor both of Kokomo, IN. Stephanie was an active participant in the Relay for Life of York, PA and loved volunteering as an Assistant Captain for the Disaster Action Team for the Red Cross, Atlanta, GA. Whatever Stephanie was involved with, she devoted her whole heart and soul to it. She put her heart into everything she did in life. If you knew Stephanie, you knew her heart.
Stephanie loved animals and cared for many cats and dogs throughout her life. Most recently she had three cats, Mr. Mustache, Hazel Basil Princes Baby Girl and Sir Jazz, who all survive her. She loved her pets with a passion. She loved music of all genres, but she held a special place in her heart for music by Jimmy Buffett and an even more special place for music by her dear friend, Jeff Pike, Atlanta, GA.
Stephanie is survived by a son, James Michael Kreider, Lancaster, PA, a daughter, Brittany Elise Kreider (Joshua), Van Buren, AR, mother-in-law, Helen Kreider, Lancaster, PA, mother, Shirley J. Hoy, Greentown, IN, step-father, Daniel S. Hoy, York, PA, sister, Julia A. Kimbrough (Tony), Peru, IN, brother, Wade M. Ranker (Patricia), Boaz, AL, step-brother, Eric S. Hoy (Michelle), Chesapeake, VA, 3 nieces, Heather M. Selmer (Jason) Knox, IN, Michelle L. Turner (James), South Bend, IN and Aimee L. Kegler (Kenneth), Indianapolis, IN, 3 great nieces, Sarai Ann Turner-Thomas, Leah Kelly-Colette Gordon and Aubrey Lynn Selmer all of Indiana and 2 great nephews, Noah James Gordon and Aiden Jay Selmer, both of Indiana, as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, cousins and many, many dear friends.
Stephanie is preceded in death by her father, John Richard Ranker, York, PA, grandparents Melvin Albert Ranker, Lena Marie Ranker, Albert Melvin Hedges, Frances Elizabeth Hedges and 2 cousins, Christopher Landry and Kimberly Jenkins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 21, 2017. There will be a calling from 1:00 – 2:00 with services beginning at 2:00 p.m., at Bunker Hill United Methodist Church, 100 N. Broadway, Bunker Hill, Indiana 46970. She attended regular services at Bunker Hill UMC and memorial contributions may be made to Bunker Hill UMC in lieu of flowers as well as gofundme.com/Stephanie-rankers-eternal-reef, to help raise funds for Stephanie’s ashes to be put in a Reef Ball and placed in the ocean to help rebuild the coral reef eco system, Stephanie’s last wish. Pastor Evan Strong will be officiating.
The family would like to thank the staff at North Woods Village and Southern Care Hospice, Kokomo, Indiana, for the special care given to Stephanie.
Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Allen Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, Indiana.