Donald Rauch

Donald Rauch
Print Obituary
Donald Elmer Rauch, 89, lifelong resident of Freeburg, Ill., died September 1, 2015, surrounded by his family and those who loved him. He was born March 21, 1926, in the Goose Bottom home of Adolph J. and Clementine, nee Prediger, Rauch.

Don attended Freeburg schools and was a United States Army veteran, serving at Camp Lee, Virginia, where he worked in the woodworking shop during World War II. He also taught woodworking skills to wounded GIs returning to the states. Upon his return to Freeburg from the military, Don became known as one of the area’s best carpenters as a member of Carpenter’s Local 480.

Freeburg residents elected him as a constable in 1953. Don was proud to be a founding member of the Freeburg Sportsman’s Club in that same decade; members know he spent thousands of hours maintaining the property, a legacy that will long survive him.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1976 and his mother in 1985; an infant son, Robert, on August 29, 1963; and a sister, JoAnn (Dave) Westcott, in 2003.

Don is survived by his wife, the former Betty Jean Bruno, who married the love of her life on June 18, 1949, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Freeburg;
their children, Steven (Doni-Mae) Rauch of Quinnesec, MI,
Donna Wilson of Freeburg, IL,
and Cindy Graham of Freeburg, IL;
four grandchildren, Joshua (Kate) Rauch of Rochester, Minn.,
Brett Graham of Edwardsville, Ill.,
Adam Rauch of Quinnesec, Mich.,
and Brittany Graham of St. Louis, Mo.;
one great grandchild, Josie Mae Rauch of Rochester, Minn;
a sister, Jean (Ray) Welch of Michigan;
and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Kendra, Sharon and Carrie of Family Hospice of Belleville for their care during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to Family Hospice of Belleville or St. Joseph Parish Center would be appreciated.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, 206 South Richland St., Freeburg, IL.

Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 9 North Alton St., Freeburg, IL. His family is honoring his plans to be cremated.

Condolences Left For Donald Rauch

Donna I am so sorry to see your dad has passed away. My condolences to you and your family.

Helen Wilson, Belleville, Illinois,


Betty, Steve, Donna, Cindy, and Family
You have our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will miss Don so much. He was really a special person. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Mike and Pam Olson, Freeburg, Illinois, 62243


Betty, Steve, Donna, Cindy and family,
Our sympathy to you on the loss of Don. He was a good man, as evidenced by the love and devotion you had for him. We’re glad for what little time we had with him in recent years.

Marlowe and Susan Hovey, Dell Rapids, South Dakota, 57022

Condolences:

Add Public Condolence

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked.