Ronald E. Pankratz, 86, of Waukegan, IL, died February 5, 2005 in Victory Lakes Continuing Care Facility in Lindenhurst, IL. He was born April 19, 1918 in Moundridge, KS, to a pioneering family of Mennonites. He was educated at Kansas University, Lawrence, KS where he was an assistant professor and completed graduate work in chemistry. His work experiences moved his family from St. Louis, MO, to Decatur, IL to Ft. Dodge, IA, to Indianole, IA, finally moving to Waukegan in 1965.
He was an active member of the Faith Untied Methodist Church in Waukegan for over 30 years. He spent over 60years as an renowned analytical chemist for various pharmaceutical firms, publishing numerous papers and books in his field. During World War II, he was instrumental in developing a water proof lubricant to advance the war effort. He was a member of Who's Who's of America., American Society of Quality Control, American Institute of Chemist, and Toastmasters. After retiring at age 75, he spent several years as a volunteer at Waukegan's Victory Hospital and pursuing gardening and model shipbuilding hobbies.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie I. Pankratz to whom he married for 62 years; eight children, Susan (Terry) Anderson of Fairmount, MN, Ron (Linda) Pankratz of Houston, TX, Christine (David) Reichert of Gurnee, IL, Frieda (Christopher) Scott of Sydney, Australia, Peter (Judy) Pankratz of Atlanta GA, Rebecca Bailey of Johnsburg, IL, Linda Joscht of Oaklawn, IL and Gretchen Pankratz of Gurnee, IL; nine grandchildren , Pamela (Phillip Goldsmith) Pankratz, Jessica (Reichert) (Mike) Treblehom, Lexie Goodwin, Cassandra (Bailey) (Andy) Holst, Jacob Reichert , E. Morgan (Bailey) (Mike) Burian, Max Pankratz, Joseph Pankratz, and Leslie Bailey; nine great grandchildren, Alden Goldsmith, Nicholas Treblehom, Joshua Treblehom, Kayla Burian, Devon Burian, Anya (Goodwin) Andersen, Caleb (Bailey) Drury and Thora Holst; two sisters, Fern (Emery) Ruth of North Newton, KS and Elizabeth (Lawrence)Zuercher of Moundridge, KS; two brother Gilbert (Opal) Pankratz of Halstead, KS and Elbert (Opal) Pankratz of Aurora, CO.
He was preceded in death by his parents , Cornelius and Margaretha Pankratz; by his brother Waldo and by sisters, Esther Pankratz, Frieda (Carl) Suderman, Marie (John) Will, Margaret (Oliver) Ash; and son-in-law, John Joscht.
A memorial service will be held February 12, 2005 at Faith Untied Methodist Church at 11 am with pastors Ryan Sutton and Kathy Motes officiating. Private inumment will be at Warren Cemetery, Gurnee, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Faith Untied Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association, in his memory.