Harold T. Ranville

Harold Theodore Ranville, 92, of Lambertville, MI, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2018 at Alice Lorraine Care Center in Monroe, Michigan. Born on May 22, 1925, he was the son of Martin Ranville and Loretta (Hards) Ranville. Harold served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Austria during World War II. He ended his schooling at age 12 to work full-time, and prior to joining the Army, he had already worked as a farmhand, a mechanic, and a deckhand on a coal ship that traveled between Ohio and Wisconsin. Harold prided himself on working hard and would brag that he could help his dad repair cars when he was only 5 years old, knowing the names of all the tools and even the parts of an engine. After returning from Germany, he traveled the country with his first wife Wilma on their motorcycle and then returned to Toledo, Ohio to raise a family. Harold worked as a tool and die maker for both GM Powertrain and Jeep in Toledo, Ohio. After leaving Jeep in his early 40s, he established the Ranville Construction Company and built and remodeled homes in the Toledo area. Harold was an avid hunter, fisherman, and downhill skier. Before retiring, he frequently travelled to Canada and western states to enjoy the outdoor wilderness, and he spent many weekends each summer fishing on Lake Erie and throwing fish fry parties at the home he built in Lambertville, Michigan. It was in this home that Harold and his wife, Barbara, held their cherished family Christmas parties and grew gardens and a small orchard. Upon retiring, Harold travelled the country once again, this time in his custom-built fifth wheel that he drove all the way from Michigan to Alaska. He also travelled extensively abroad visiting China, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and other countries throughout Europe. He made friends wherever he went, and his passion for life and new experiences was an inspiration to all who knew him. Harold was a great source of wisdom, love, and stability for his family. He will be deeply missed. Harold is preceded in death by his first wife, Wilma Steele, his wife, Barbara Garber, sons, Douglas Ranville and Gary Ranville, step-daughter, Patricia Jenison, and siblings Donald Ranville and Annabelle Ranville. He is survived by his granddaughters, Michelle Ranville (Robert Bevis), Andrea Ranville, and Mary Flores, step-son, Harold "Chip" Jenison, son-in-law Nathan Blevins, and devoted daughter-in-law and caregiver Carolyn (Hume) Ranville. The family extends their sincere gratitude to Promedica Hospice and the staff at Alice Lorraine for their support and kindness. There will be a memorial service for Harold on Saturday, May 19th, at Whiteford Cemetery in Lambertville, MI, at 1:00 pm. Memorial contributions should be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at www.vfw.org/donate.