Geraldine “Gerry” Rankins

Athens - Geraldine “Gerry” Audrey Rankins, 92, of Athens, died peacefully Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at The Laurels of Athens.

Born December 30, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Harley and Nettie Parker Peters. Gerry was a Registered Nurse at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens for twenty-five years. She was very active in the Friends of Athens Public Library and First Baptist Church Athens.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen J. Chaperlo of Massillon, Ohio and her children, Craig & Miranda Chaperlo of Canton, Ohio, Curtis & Missy Chaperlo of Canton, Ohio, Keith Chaperlo of Lewisville, Ohio and Kevin & Prissy Chaperlo of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Her son, William and Lois Rankins of Whiteville, North Carolina and his children, Melissa, Ashley, Judy and Roy all Whiteville, N.C.; her daughter, Robin and David L. White of Athens and her children, Jayme and Joshua Camire of Littleton, Colorado, Jason and Lauren Kelly of Upper Arlington, Ohio and

Julie and Heather Haas of Cincinnati, Ohio; her son, Robert Rankins of Athens; her son, John Mark and Carrie Rankins of Bowling Green, Ohio and his children, Noah Rankins of Kansas City Missouri, Madeline Rankins of Perrysburg, Ohio, and MacKenzie Rankins of Bowling Green, Ohio and many great grandchildren that were also her pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harley Peters & Nettie Peters Iachino; her husband, Roy E Rankins; beloved daughter, Judith Lynn Rankins; one brother, Edmond Harvey Peters; one sister, Phyllis Scott; her son-in-law, Kenneth Chaperlo and special friends, Doris Green, Ann Dombrosky, Trudy Williams and Anne McClanahan all of Athens.

Graveside services will be held at West Union Street Cemetery in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m with W. Otis Crockron Jr. officiating. Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to:

Friends of the Shelter Dogs, Athens County

P.O.Box 576

Athens, Ohio 45701

Arrangements have been entrusted with the Hughes Funeral Home in Athens, Ohio.