Search by Name
Menu
Search by Name
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
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more