- Donald "Donny" John Rausch, 55, Winneconne, died unexpectedly Friday morning, June 1, 2007, at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. He was born Nov. 4, 1951, in Fond du Lac to Norbert and Ione (Baer) Rausch. Donny was raised in Chilton and was a 1969 graduate of Chilton High School where he was a member of the "undefeated, untied, and unscored upon" 1969 football team. Donny served his country from 1971-1973 in the U.S. Army, earning a National Defense Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and was a Marksman M16A1. He also was named the 2nd Battalion 67th Air Defense Artillery Soldier of the Quarter. Donny worked for Wisconsin Axle Tech in Oshkosh for 9 years and was recently elected the Skilled Trade Rep. for the union. Prior to that, he worked for Chilton Products for over 20 years where he had also served as the union president. Donny was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Quinney Fishing Club and the Poygan Conservation Club. Donny married Debra Smithlin on Oct. 17, 1998.
Donny is survived by his wife, Debra Rausch, Winneconne; two daughters, Dawn Rausch, Menasha; Danielle Rausch, New Holstein; his mother, Ione Rausch, Chilton; two stepsons, Trevr (Dawn) Smithlin, Neenah; Travis Smithlin (Jamie), Oshkosh; three grandchildren, Alyssah, Kayla, and Abagail Smithlin; sisters and brothers, Judy (Bruce) Bradley, Oshkosh; Karen (Carmen) Lauresdorf, Sheboygan; Kathy Rausch, Appleton; Debra (Steve) Melanz, Evansville; Mike Rausch, Chilton; Jim (Bonnie) Rausch, Green Bay; and nieces and nephews.
Donny was preceded in death by his father, Norbert Rausch; and one brother, Jerome Rausch.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at 10 a.m., at Mueller Funeral Home, Winneconne, with the Rev. Carl Schmitt officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Winneconne Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home and on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mueller Funeral Home
904 E. Main St. P.O. Box 250
Winneconne, WI 54986
920-582-4242
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1951 - 2007 (55 years)
Obituary
