Claude R Rauch

CHAPIN – A service to celebrate the life of Claude Ray Rauch, 92, of Chapin, SC will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, in Chapin. The family will receive friends and family at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Chapin Chapel on Friday, February 19, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Claude passed away at home, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. He was born April 4, 1923 in Chapin, SC to the late Walter Elsberry Rauch and Erin Dreher Rauch. He served his country in World War II in the US Army where he was assigned to the Army Air Corps. He was a Staff Sergeant and flew 40 missions in the Pacific Theater. After returning home from the war he began a 40 year career in construction. He was a Construction Superintendent for Congaree Construction, MB Kahn and McCroy Sumwalt.

Claude is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Athalee Shealy Rauch; children, Linda Olsten (Gene) of Chapin and Ann Hutchens (Hal) of Columbia; grandchildren, Gina Phillips (Jeff) of Atlanta, Wil Hutchens (Rachel) of Columbia, Kirby Rusnak (Ryan) of San Diego and Haley Hutchens of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Max and Sam Phillips and Wilson and Charlotte Hutchens; brothers, William and Howard Rauch; special nephew, Butch Russell and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandson, Michael Hutchens.

Claude was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to share stories of his childhood and other adventures with his family and friends. He was a graduate of Chapin High School and a member of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church. He was a life member and past Worshipful Master of the Little Mountain Lodge No. 281 AFM, and was also a life member of the Little Mountain Order of Eastern Star Chapter 276.

The family would like to thank Dr. Carroll Pinner and the staff of Blue Ridge Hospice and a special thanks to his friend and caretaker Lamar Clark, Nurse Edwina Hallman and caretakers Sophia Clark, Gloria Fields and Barbara Williams.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, 101 E. Boundary St. Chapin, SC 29036.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net