John F. Rauth, 87
John F. Rauth, 87, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at his home surrounded by his family.
Born Jan. 15, 1921, to Aaron F. and Anna Theresa (Stander) Rauth, in Wabash, Neb., he grew up on a farm outside York, Neb., and was the oldest of nine children.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in Aug., 1940, starting out as a Radioman, and later becoming a Flying Sergeant with the 325th Fighter Group, also known as the “Checkertail Clan”. He flew P-40s and P-47s in the Mediterannean Theatre and was shot down off the coast of Sicily.
John retired as a Lt. Colonel with the Mo. Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force, after 41 years of military service.
In 2004, he wrote and published his memoirs, “7 Hours a Prisoner”.
John married the love of his life, Betty, on Aug. 5, 1944, at Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Jermyn, Pa.
He founded John Rauth Construction Co. in 1953 and served as President until 1986, when he turned it over to his son, Michael, who continues the business today.
John was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where he served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister and member of the Renovation Committee; past-president of St. Joseph Homebuilders Association; charter member and First Grand Knight of Bishop LeBlond Council 5067 Knights of Columbus. He served as treasurer of Birthright; treasurer of Msgr. Nowland Scholarship Fund; member of St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and St. Joseph Serra Club.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas A. (Fontelle) Rauth, Paul A. (Martha) Rauth and Vincent J. Rauth; Betty’s parents, George and Kathleen Cobb and her brother George J. Cobb.
In addition to Betty, he is also survived by his seven children, Joyce A. (Mike) Rauth-Fears, Kansas City, Mo., Eileen (Wayne) Strider, Kansas City, Mary Kay (Mark) Rauth-Farley, Shawnee Mission, Kan., Patty (Chuck) Hayes, St. Joseph, Michael G. (Mary) Rauth, St. Joseph, Jeanne (Jim) Sheehan, Austin, and Reine (John) Seiler, St. Louis, Mo.; 10 grandsons; three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren; siblings, Rev. Fr. Philip J. Rauth, Omaha, Neb., Sr. Mary Vanna Rauth, op, Sinsinawa, Wis., Mary Theresa Rauth, Omaha, R. Joseph (Carol) Rauth, New Haven, Mo. and Herman I. (Jeanene) Rauth, Honey Creek, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, and due to his strong support of Catholic education, the family suggests memorial contributions to Birthright of St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier Parish; Bishop LeBlond High School or Msgr. Charles Nowland Scholarship Fund.