Arthur “Art” Rauch, age 93, of Newton, Illinois passed away at 4:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at his home in Newton, Illinois. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 19, 2024, at St. Thoms the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton. A wake will be held at the church on Sunday, August 18, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and again on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Arrangements are in the hands of Meyer Funeral Home in Newton.
Arthur Alfonse Rauch, “Art,” of Newton, Illinois, departed this world at the age of 93 to join his wife, Barbara (Morgan), on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Art was born in Jasper County on August 23, 1930 to William and Alma (Kistner) Rauch. Arthur attended Frog Pond School, Ingraham Grade School, and then Newton Community High School, graduating in 1948. After graduating, he worked on the farm with his father until January 1952. Arthur was then drafted into service in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was wounded by shrapnel and served over a year in the hospital at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Art was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star during the Korean War.
Upon returning to Jasper County, Art applied to Bradley University and earned a degree in watchmaking and gemology. Arthur wrote letters to Barbara Morgan, Geneva (Rauch) Geier’s (his sister’s) best friend, while in school. He later married Barbara on June 6, 1955. They moved to Melbourne, Florida. Arthur worked at Patrick Air Force Base as a watch repairman, etc. and started a family. Three of their eight children, Pamela, Cynthia and Jeannette, were born in Florida. In May 1960, Art and Barb moved back to Jasper County where they purchased the jewelry store in Newton, Illinois. They were soon blessed with Bruce, Sandra, Carol, Alan and June. Arthur’s career as a master jeweler was spent at Rauchs Jewelry in Newton where he repaired watches, jewelry and in his early years, wall clocks. Arthur and his wife spent 57 years together in their profession of creating memories by selling diamonds, watches, rings, necklaces, or anything the community needed. All of their children grew up in the store. Art’s love for customers was evident over the years. He would come to the store to tell his stories, either inside or sitting outside in his car. He was so proud of his children for carrying on his legacy of Rauchs Jewelry.
Arthur and Barbara spent many summers traveling with their children. They traveled to many of the southern and western states. They revisited Florida several times. They fished Canadian lakes several summers. They also went to Alaska. After their children were grown, Art and Barbara traveled to Port Isabel, Texas during the winter for approximately 20 years before Barb passed away in November 2015. Art spent many winter days in Texas fishing with his brother Wilfred, his children, and several of his grandchildren. Arthur’s hobbies and pastimes included fishing, camping, hunting, collecting watches, and watching Newton Eagle football from the 50 yard line. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play in band, play sports, or do whatever they did.
Another love was his farm where he raised a few cattle, chickens, pigs, ducks, horses, dogs and many cats. Art loved to tell his family and friends “stories” and many old sayings. Art loved being with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He often called each of his “grandchildren” and “great grandchildren” “Joe”. He especially loved telling stories. Arthur was a life 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 the Knights of Columbus. Art was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Arthur leaves behind 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, Madalyn 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. 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, Jaxson Kater: Sister Geneva (Franklin) Geier of Newton; 5 step-great-grandchildren: Marc, Juliette, Abigail, Silas Bunselmeyer, Palmer Bunselmeyer; sister-in-law Ruth Rauch of Newton. Arthur also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
Arthur was predeceased by his wife Barbara, his parents, his sister Lavera Bryan, his brothers Wilfred Rauch, Clifford Rauch, Melvin Rauch, Harold Rauch and Mitchell Resendiz (step-grandson).
