Arthur Alfonse Rauch, “Art”, of Newton, Illinois, at the age of 93, departed this world to join his wife Barbara (Morgan), on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Art was born the son of William and Alma (Kistner) Rauch on August 23, 1930, in Jasper County, Illinois.
Arthur attended Frog Pond School, Ingraham Grade School and then Newton Community High School, graduating in 1948. Upon graduating he worked on the farm with his dad, until January 1952. He was then drafted to serve in the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict. Art was wounded by shrapnel that required over a year in the hospital at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Art was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star in the Korean Conflict. After returning to Jasper County, Art applied and entered Bradley University earning a degree in Horology, the study of watchmaking, along with studying gemstones.
Arthur wrote letters while in school to Barbara Morgan, Geneva (Rauch) Geier’s, best friend (his sister). Later, he married Barbara on June 6, 1955. They moved to Melbourne Florida. Arthur worked on Patrick Air Force Base repairing watches, etc. and started a family. Three of their eight children were born in Florida, Pamela, Cynthia, and Jeannette. In May of 1960, Art and Barb moved back to Jasper County, where they purchased the Jewelry Store in Newton, Illinois. Soon they were blessed with Bruce, Sandra, Carol, Alan and June.
Arthur’s career as a master jeweler was spent at Rauch’s Jewelry, in Newton, repairing watches, jewelry and in his early years, clocks. Arthur and his wife spent 57 years together in their profession of making memories with the selling of diamonds, watches, rings, necklaces, or whatever the community needed. All of their children grew up in the store. Art’s love for customers was evident throughout the years. He continued to stop at the store, to share his stories either inside or outside sitting in his vehicle. He was so proud of his kids for carrying on his legacy of Rauch’s Jewelry.
Arthur and Barbara spent many summers traveling with their children. They toured many of the southern states and western states. They re-visited Florida on several occasions. They fished lakes in Canada numerous summers. They also drove to Alaska. After their children were grown, Art and Barbara traveled to Port Isabel, Texas in the winter for approximately 20 years before Barb’s passing in November 2015. Art spent many winter days in Texas fishing with his brother Wilfred, children and several of his grandchildren.
Arthur’s hobbies and pastimes included fishing, camping, hunting, collecting watches and clocks, and watching from the 50-yard line Newton Eagle Football. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids in band, sports or anything that they were involved with. Another love was his farm, where he raised a few cattle, chickens, pigs, ducks, horses, dogs and along with many cats.
Art loved to tell “stories” to family and friends along with many old sayings. Art loved being with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Every one of his “Grands” and “Great Grands” he often referred to as “Joe”. He especially loved telling stories.
Arthur was a lifelong member of NAWCC, National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, DAV, Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the American Legion and a 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus. Art was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Art is survived by:
8 Children: Pamela “Pame” (Kenny) French of Newton, Illinois; Cynthia (Scott) Bunselmeyer of Rockwood, Illinois: Jeannette “Jeannie” (Mark) Nix of Newton, Illinois; Bruce (Dena) Rauch of Newton, Illinois: Sandra (Micheal) Resendiz of Bartlett, Illinois; Carol (Wayne) Dhom of Mattoon, Illinois; Alan (Lisa) Rauch of Newton, Illinois and June (Scott) Bierman of Newton, Illinois.
Special niece: Kate Bokor of Tuscola, Illinois
20 Grandchildren: Amie (Albaro) McClane-Mejia of Milpitas, CA; Katie (Ramie) Clagg of Dieterich IL; Kyle French of Murfreesboro, TN; Kendra (Eric) Henderson of Salem, IL; Nicole (Jarrod) Goodhue of Popular Buff, MO; Anthony (Karissa) Nix of Corvallis, OR; Mara (Brian) Fehrenbacher of Effingham, IL; William “Bill” (Pam) Rauch of Kingsville, TX; Brad Rauch of Teutopolis, IL; Brooke (Seth) Woods of Newton, IL; Nicole (Nick) Augustyniak of MountLake Terrace, WA; Alexandria Grieble of Seattle WA; Christopher Resendiz of Bartlett, IL; Erica (Devin) Moses of Mattoon, IL; Dylan (Crystal) Dhom of Cedar Lake, IN; Taylor (John) Kater of Newton, IL; Bob Rauch of Newton, IL; Madalyn “Maddy” Rauch of Newton, IL; Jacob Bierman of Newton, IL; and Mitchell Bierman of Carnegie, PA.
5 Step Grandchildren: Daniel (Khrystyne) Bunselmeyer of St. Charles, MO; Matthew (Gabrielle) Bunselmeyer of Rockwood MO; Elizabeth Bunselmeyer of Murphysboro, TN; and Michael and Matthew Resendiz both of Tinley Park, IL
25 Great Grandchildren: Eva and Emma Mejia, Raya and Rowan Clagg, Landon Henderson, Esther and Elijah Goodhue, , Kambria Nix, Everett Fehrenbacher, Caroline and Annemarie Rauch, Ally, Brock and Max Rauch, Nolan and Carson Woods, Grace, Morgan and Caroline Moses, Lauren, Hailey and Ryan Dhom, Mason and Maverick Stanciu, and Jaxson Kater.
5 Step Great Grandchildren: Marc, Juliette, Abigail, Silas, and Palmer Bunselmeyer
Sister Geneva (Franklin) Geier of Newton, Illinois
Sister-in-law Ruth Rauch, of Newton, Illinois
Several nieces and nephews also survive Arthur.
Arthur was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, parents, sister Lavera Bryan, brothers Wilfred Rauch, Clifford Rauch, Melvin Rauch, and Harold Rauch, and step grandson Mitchell Resendiz.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM – Monday, August 19, 2024, at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. The burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Wendelin, Illinois, with full military rites by Jasper Post #20 American Legion and the Illinois Army National Guard Funeral detail. Visitation for family and friends will be held 4:00 to 6:00 PM – Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the church and again before the mass on Monday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. In loving memory of Art, memorials may be made to the St Thomas School. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
