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Richard Lautenschleger Obituary

Richard R. Lautenschleger

BALTIC Richard R. Lautenschleger, 73, of West St., Baltic, died peacefully after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday, November 9, 2012, surrounded by his family in the house he owned for nearly 44 years and in the hometown that he loved.

Born May 20, 1939, on the family farm located off Rt. 93 just south of Baltic in Coshocton County in an area he and his friends called "The Glades," he was the youngest of the children of the late Floyd Sr. and Esta (Goss) Lautenschleger. Because he was so small at birth, his mother kept him in a shoebox for a period of time and kept him warm by placing the box in the family's oven, prompting a neighbor lady to predict "that little guy will never make it," which was a story that his sons loved to hear about and repeat.

Rich was a 1957 graduate of Baltic High School and he and his classmates from "The Class of '57" maintained a lifelong bond by meeting for lunches and suppers on a regular basis throughout the years. A U.S. Army veteran from 1957-60, he spent a portion of his service in Germany and kept in communication with friends from overseas for many years. He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ at Baltic and served as a trustee for the Halifax Cemetery located at the site of the former Halifax Church.

Rich worked at many locations through the years, including Allied Baltic Rubber Co., General Electric Co. at Coshocton, Huprich Floorcovering at Sugarcreek, Peabody Galion at Winesburg and Stone Container Corp. at Coshocton, where he retired in 2005 after more than 20 years of service.

On June 27, 1964, he married the former Louise Hicks in the United Methodist Church at Fresno. The union produced an immediate large extended family as Rich was the youngest of eight children and Louise is the youngest of 10 children. Rich and Louise spent their entire marriage residing in Baltic, first in an apartment located next to the Steiner Cheese Co. and moving a few years later to their current home.

Rich is survived by his wife Louise; and his two sons, Darrin (Maria) of New Philadelphia and Jay (Amanda) of Keene in Coshocton County; and four grandchildren, Mary Cecelia (Macy) Lautenschleger, Zachary Lautenschleger, Richard Allen Lautenschleger and Weston Lautenschleger; Rich also is survived by two brothers and three sisters, Roland of Ashland, Ky., Jacob (Lois) of Baltic, Kathryn Lautenschleger of Baltic, Erma (Glen) Lorenz of Coshocton, and Mary Lou (Dean) Huprich of Cambridge; two sisters-in-law, Marlene Lautenschleger of Baltic, and Carol Lautenschleger of Strasburg; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Forest Hicks of Ragersville, J.W. (Marlene) Hicks of Fresno, Roby (Ruth) Hicks of Fresno, John "Pete" (Margene) Hicks of Sugarcreek, Thomas (Beverly) Hicks of Newcomerstown, Amy Haynes of Fresno, Helen (Daniel) Moody of Coshocton, and Faye (Edward) Honabarger of Bakersville; and 35 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd Lautenschleger Jr. and Glen Lautenschleger; four sisters-in-law, Donna Jean Lautenschleger, Ernestine Miller, Mary Hicks and Marie Hicks; two brothers-in-law, James Haynes and Roger Miller; and two nephews and a niece.

Rich was known by his family and friends for his easy-going, pleasant personality; enjoying a good laugh, sometimes over a game of cards and a cold beer or two; and his commitment to assist his family and friends. He made it a point to check on the well-being of his mother and sister on a daily basis. He enjoyed taking trips to the Hicks family roots in Boone, N.C.; vacations to the beach at Myrtle Beach, S.C., with Faye and Ed Honabarger; dancing at several locations with Louise, including at the "Rose Room" in downtown New Philadelphia and at family wedding receptions and events; and taking care of his grandchildren and yard.

Services for Rich will be held Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Zion United Church of Christ at Baltic with the Rev. Dr. Monte Canfield officiating. Burial will follow in Halifax Cemetery located south of Baltic in Coshocton County. Calling hours will be held Monday from 4 to 8 PM in the Smith-Varns Funeral Home at 1018 W. Main St. Sugarcreek and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ at Baltic or Community Hospice of Tuscarawas, Stark & Carroll County at 716 Commercial Ave. S.W. New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's web site to share a memory and sign the guest register.

Smith-Varns, 330-852-2141 www.smithfuneral.com

Published by Coshocton Tribune on Nov. 11, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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I worked with Rich at Stone Container. Rich was a man with a huge heart and wonderfull smile. I am sorry that we all lost another hard working wonderfull man. God bless all Rich's friends and family.

Keith Bowman

November 17, 2012

Louise and family: So sorry about Rich. We sure weren't expecting the news that we got tonight. We are so glad that we were able to visit last month. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Ron and Linda Barker

November 14, 2012

your family is in my thoughts and prayers

Lisa Lint Dague

November 12, 2012

We didn't know Rich, but he had to be a terrific guy. His son, Darrin, stands as a testament to that. Our condolences.

Dick and Suzanne Farrell

November 12, 2012

Dear Louise and family,Rich will be truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Eric and Teresa Gingerich

November 12, 2012

I worked with Richard at Stone Container So sorry for you lost may god bless and keep you is my prayer

James Shepherd

November 12, 2012

So sorry to hear about Rich's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Besides having similar names, Rich and I both wound up marrying girls from the same area of North Carolina!! God bless.

Richard (Dick) & Mary Lautensleger

November 12, 2012

I worked with Rich in a different dept. at Stones for all the years he was there and he allways smiled and said hi when we crossed paths. Really sad to lose such a great person. Now he is smiling at God and I know he likes that!

Steve Affolter

November 12, 2012

My heart goes out to you and your family. He was one great guy and will never be forgotten. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Tish Hoffman

November 12, 2012

Louise,
We lost contact thru the many years of our friendship with Viviane Woodard. Always enjoyed seeing you and our short talks at the store !
May God Bless you and your family at this sorrowful time and give you comfort in sharing the wonderful memories you'll always hold in your hearts.

Pat & Kenny Grier

November 12, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Teresa, Megan, Travis, Josh and Lindsay McQueen

November 12, 2012

Deepest Sympathy to all of you at this difficult time. Will never forget Rich's wonderful smile! God Bless you all

Gus & Kathy Regula

November 11, 2012

r thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless. John and Sharon

John and Sharon Hill

November 11, 2012

We were sorry to read of Rich's passing. You have our deepest sympathy and our prayers are with you and your family.

Stacy Doak

November 11, 2012

Dearest Aunt Louise, Darrin, Jay and family, you all are in my thoughts and prayers. May your faith in God guide you through this difficult time. I will always remember Uncle Rich's great laugh! I love you all.
With deepest sympathy,
Belinda, Andy, Kasey and Tony

Belinda Castro

November 11, 2012

May God give you strength during this difficult time. Worked with Rich at Huprich Floor Covering and he always came to work with a smile on his face and most of the time had a good joke or a humorous story to tell us to keep everyone laughing. God bless you all.

Nelson Mullet

November 11, 2012

Jay, Amanda, Allen & Weston: Praying for peace and comfort at this difficult time. May God heal your heavy hearts at this time of need.

Megan Hill

November 11, 2012

sending thoughts and love to louise and all the family.

jean zingg

November 11, 2012

To Darrin, Maria and all of the family and friends...please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers in the time of your loss...

Mary Meiser

November 11, 2012

you have my deepest sympathy...may god bless you and your family...

karen (gaumer) miller

November 11, 2012

Buck&Becky Fuller

November 11, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Pat Gingerich

November 11, 2012

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