Earl P. Rau

1916 - 2012

Earl Rau

Earl P. Rau, 96, of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Dammert Geriatric Center in Belleville, Ill., formerly of Waterloo, Ill., born Aug. 26, 1916, in St. Louis, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Earl was the former owner and operator of Rau's IGA, a grocery store in Waterloo, Ill. He and his wife, Coralynn, were in the retail food market business their whole lives. They had a great partnership, with friendship, love, and respect for each other. Coralynn ran the business alone while Earl was serving his country during World War II. She was the shining light in his life. After her death at the age of 52, he stayed in the retail food business for several years, but his heart wasn't in it anymore. He retired at the age of 58.

Mr. Rau was a veteran of World War II, who had served in North Africa and India. His last years were spent in the U.S. Air Force G 2 Division of Intelligence and Interrogation, living two years in the jungle in India and Burma, sometimes in mud huts with straw roofs.

Earl was a former member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, Ill, where he was an active member of church organizations. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Waterloo Council 1334, the Waterloo Elks Club, VFW Post 6504, and American Legion Post 581. He was also a member of the CBI Theatre of War Veterans.

He was active in the community and supported many youth activities and organizations, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Lions Club, and the Optimist Club. He sponsored baseball teams, softball teams, and bowling teams.

Earl had many hobbies, including fishing, woodworking, playing cards (loved to play bridge), drawing, painting, writing, miniature railroading, photography, home movies, and horses. He loved to do yard work and masonry work (sidewalks, walls, etc.) in his yard.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Coralynn M., nee Landgraf, Rau, whom he had married in 1939; his second wife, Mildred, nee Hettenhausen, Rau; an infant daughter, Barbara Ann; his parents, Frank J. and Ella K., nee Frierdich, Rau; and a sister, Myrtle Schroeder.

Surviving are his three sons, James David (Margaret Travolta) Rau, Gary M. (Janis Niebruegge) Rau, and Thomas G. (Sandra Lacy) Rau; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a niece, Diane Wedel.

Memorials may be made to Ss. Peter and Paul Grade School or to Gibault High School. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Waterloo, Ill., with Father Osang Idagbo C.M., officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Waterloo, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.