Bernard J. Rau

Bernard J. Rau, 77, of Beal City passed away Sunday, April 14, 2002 at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 18, at St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church in Beal City with Father John Cotter officiating. Burial follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Lux Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. and on Thursday from 9-10 a.m. There will be a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church or the Beal City Athletic Association. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Bernie was born October 30, 1924, in Toledo, OH, the son of Albert and Louise (Vultee) Rau. He married Marjorie Grinzinger June 21, 1947 at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943-1945. He worked as a lab technician for 35 years at Dow Chemical. Bernie was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Knights of Columbus Council 3651, the Beal City Seniors Golf League, and was Nottawa Township Clerk for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening and playing cards with friends. But his greatest love in life was his family, most of all his love for his grandchildren. Bernie is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Grinzinger) Rau of Beal City; seven children, Gary (Linda) Rau of Lake Isabella, Jan (Barry) Kirkpatrick of Leadville, CO, Bob (Mary) Rau of Lake Isabella, Jack (Barbara) Rau of Weidman, Sue (Randy) Stratton of Mt. Pleasant, Barbie (Kurt) Mirandette of Grand Rapids, and Karen Sellers of Grand Rapids; 22 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five sisters, Margaret (Donald) Seyfried of New Bremen, OH, Doris Quick of Lansing, Gertrude Brownlee of Sanford, Ruth (Bill) Richmond of Fenton, and Margaret (Chuck) Frodl of Belmont; and many nieces and nephews.