John Edward Rauh

John Edward Rauh, 77, of Jackson passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at his home.

He was born June 3, 1940, in Jackson to Herbert M. and Ida Stueve Rauh. He was baptized June 30, 1940, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, and confirmed April 11, 1954, at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas. He was a 1958 graduate of Jackson High School, where he played baseball.

John and Ruth Hunt were married Oct. 7, 1961, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Missouri. They made their first home in Pocahontas, where John first worked at Bowman Milling. While driving a school bus many years for Jackson R-2, he also owned and operated the former Pocahontas Mercantile, a retail provider of Uregas. In 1981, he became employed in the maintenance department at Southeast Hospital, retiring in the early 2000s. Always wanting to be "on the go," in 2005, he became a part-time courier driver for McDonald's, retiring March 31, 2017.

John was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, where he and Ruth also served as the church custodians. He was a current member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. He served as an usher, sang bass in the choir, and especially enjoyed traveling with the choir. He played on the former dartball teams of both congregations.

John was an avid bowler and proponent of the sport. He participated many years in league bowling in Jackson and Frohna. He bowled a 300 game, numerous 700 series, including a career high of 770, and held a 200-plus average for more than 20 years.

He was a life member and former secretary-treasurer of the Cape Girardeau Bowling Association Board, and a Hall of Fame member of the association. He was also a longtime member and former president of the Missouri State Bowling Association Board. He was inducted into the Missouri State Bowling Hall of Fame on July 8, 2006, and was instrumental in helping others attain the same great honor. After a hand surgery in 1998, John was told to stop bowling. He switched to his left hand and carried a 143 average for two years.

He enjoyed attending shooting matches, hunting and fishing. His family describes him as an avid Cardinals baseball fan and critic.

Loving survivors include his wife of 56 years, Ruth Rauh of Jackson; two daughters, Jo (Kirk) Howell of Dunedin, Florida and Jackie (Doug) Seabaugh of Jackson; three grandchildren, Elgin (Stephany) Howell of Orlando, Florida, Chelsea Howell (Nick Augustine) of Tampa, Florida, and Tyler Seabaugh of Jackson; two siblings, Charles (Eileen) Rauh of Perryville, Missouri, and Barbara (the late Ray) Powell of Pocahontas; three sisters-in-law, Amelia (the late Herbert) Rauh of New Port Richey, Florida, Paula (the late David) Reisenbichler of Cape Girardeau and Gladys (Gary) Laug of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; a brother-in-law, Norman "Butch" (Mary) Hunt of Altenburg; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Herbert Rauh and Robert "Bob" (Beverly) Rauh; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Elda Hunt.

The visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today in chapel A of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The funeral service will at 11 a.m. Saturday, at the church, with the Rev. Eric Longman officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

The family suggests memorials take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Please memo checks for Music at St. Paul, St. Paul Lutheran Angel Fund, or the General Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.