Harold John Ingold, 99, of Rankin, passed away trusting in Jesus, on Monday, September 19, 2022. He had been residing at Autumn Fields Adult Community in Hoopeston, IL for 3 years, and then at the Hawthorne Inn in Danville for several weeks.
Harold was born February 11, 1923, at Rankin, IL, to John Adam and Lena Alta (Milligan) Ingold. He was literally the son and grandson of pioneers. His mother grew up in a sod house on her father's homestead in the Platte River Valley of western Nebraska, near Ogallala, in the 1880's.
Harold was raised and lived in the Rankin/East Lynn area his entire life, where he attended Science Hill Grade School and less than a year at East Lynn High School. Harold married Marjorie Helen Knoll on February 14, 1948, at St. James Methodist Church in Danville, IL. They were married over 67 years, until her homegoing in July of 2015.
Harold was also preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Russell of Morton, IL, and Mrs. Esther Wilson of Merriam, KS.
Surviving are two sons, Hank (Nenita) Ingold of Keaau, Hawaii and Gary (Beth) Ingold of Danville, IL. Also surviving are five grandchildren, John Adam (Dawn) Ingold of Washington, DC; Mark Ingold of Indianapolis, IN; Nathan Ingold of Milan, MI; Daniel and Michael Ingold of Keaau, HI; and two great-grandchildren, Kimberly Ingold of Bloomington, IL; and Amelia Ingold, also of Bloomington.
Harold was a life-long farmer in the Rankin area, first helping his father as a young boy in the 1930's, working the land with horses, and eventually taking over farming his parents' small farm near Rankin. He farmed full-time for over 50 years before retiring in about 1988. Even after retiring, he continued to live on the same farm, enjoying being on the land and tinkering around his farmstead.
Harold always took pride in being a very hard worker. Although 6' 1” in height, he never weighed much over 140 pounds, but he was nevertheless strong and hardy in his youth. He was known for being very frugal and content in his lifestyle, and for being honest in his business dealings, always paying any debt that he owed. He never took out a loan in his life, nor did he ever use a credit or debit card.
Harold enjoyed traveling in his younger years, going on several long vacations to the western states. He drove as far as Yellowstone National Park in his 1950 “Shoebox” Ford in the late 1950's. He had a life-long interest in geography and had an amazing memory, even into old age, of places he had visited and sights he had seen. Likewise, he knew many, many people and could remember details about people he had met just once, decades earlier.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 24th, from 9:30 to 11 AM at Anderson Funeral Home, in Hoopeston, IL. After visitation, a funeral service will follow, with Rev. Paul Rebert officiating. Immediately following the service, burial will be at Floral Hill Cemetery at Hoopeston.
Memorials may be made in Harold’s name to First Baptist Christian School in Danville.
