Paul L. Rausch

Paul L. Rausch, formerly of Florida, Ohio, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017, at the CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio. Paul was born October 21, 1938, in Yale, South Dakota, to the late Leonhard J. and Bertha (Bluemenschein) Rausch. The family moved to Wapakoneta and then to Florida where Paul graduated from Florida High School. He married Dorothy Bauer on December 14, 1958 and she preceded him in death in 2008. Paul was employed at Campbell Soup, Automatic Feed and Dinner Bell in Defiance throughout his career as well as a truck driver for Northwest Controls in Defiance before retiring. He was also a 45 year member of the Florida-Flatrock Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Chief for 7 years. As a former member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Florida, he is well-remembered as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, Walther-League advisor and Council member. He was a current member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon. Paul enjoyed fishing, either in a farm pond or a larger lake, he was happy with a rod in his hand and was an avid deer hunter. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, Paul was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Rueben Lunz, and a brother-in-law, Lester Koch. Paul is survived by three children. His daughter, Diane (Tom) Herman of Bryan, two sons, Lee (Diane) of Defiance, and Jon (Jen Schwiebert) of Florida. Eight grandchildren; Eric (Chrissy) Herman, Jennifer (Chris) LaBoe, Andrew (Andrea) Herman, Katie (Chuckie) Prezzia, Alicia Rausch, Abby Rausch, Jacob Rausch, and Maddie Rausch and six great-grandchildren. Siblings Melba (Herb) Lunz and Mary Koch both of Wapakoneta, Lois (Vern) Bischoff of Napoleon, Leon (Nita) Rausch of Dallas, TX, Carl (Peg) Rausch of Napoleon and Lillian (Doug) Grodi of Toledo. Funeral services for Paul will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2017 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon. Interment will follow at Florida Cemetery, Florida, Ohio. Visitation will be held at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Napoleon on Thursday, May 18 from 2 - 8 p.m. and 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the church. Firefighters Last Call service at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials are requested to CHP Inpatient Hospice Center, Defiance or charity of Donors choice. Online condolences may be made at www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com.

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Paul L. Rausch

October 21, 1938 - May 14, 2017