Joseph J. Rauch, 83, of Lombard, a retired staff engineer with Illinois Bell Telephone, died Sunday, Feb. 4, in Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. Born in Chicago, Mr. Rauch spent 32 years with the telephone company and retired in 1978. He was a member of Telephone Pioneers of America and American Legion, Bell Telephone Post 242, where he was a past commander. He also was a cubmaster, scoutmaster, a member of DuPage Council of Scouting for 17 years and the recipient of the St. George Award for Catholic Scouting. Mr. Rauch belonged to the Order of the Arrow, was a Third Degree in the Knights of Columbus, Father Boecker Council 6090 and served as head usher at Sacred Heart Church, where he also served on the Parish Council and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Additionally, he served three years as president of Antique Autos Anonymous and belonged to the Antique Radio Club. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen; three daughters, Margaret Tonne, Patricia Newhouse and Jean Judges; a son, Thomas; five grandchildren; and a great- granddaughter. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with mass at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard.
