La Vone Rauch, 82 of New Sharon passed away Monday morning, May 14, 2018 at the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the West Liberty Church of Christ west of Montezuma. Burial will be in the West Liberty Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are Nicole Ohnemus, Jason Ohnemus, Nathan Rauch, Lucas Rauch, Drew Rauch, Jason Rauch, Davey Richards, Eric Richards and Aaron Patterson. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Liberty Church of Christ or the West Liberty Cemetery Fund.

La Vone Eldon Rauch, the son of Henry and Laura (Meyer) Rauch, was born on May 17, 1935 east of Deep River, Iowa. He attended St. John's Lutheran School near Victor before attending Deep River School. On June 28, 1959, La Vone was united in marriage to Zelda Butcher at the Assembly of God Church in New Sharon. To this union two sons were born, Jeff and Darin. He worked as a mechanic at Marengo Motors and Imperial Gas Station in Ladora before farming for Warren Fish near Deep River. La Vone was also a farmhand in Taintor and Fremont for several years before moving to New Sharon in 1973. After moving to New Sharon, La Vone worked for Van Gorp Corporation in Pella for 33 years retiring in 2002. He enjoyed restoring and tinkering with old cars. He also enjoyed going to the races, very seldom missing a race at the Oskaloosa Speedway. La Vone loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Faith was very important to La Vone. He was an active member of the West Liberty Church of Christ and looked forward to Sunday worship.

His memory will be honored by his wife of 59 years, Zelda Rauch of New Sharon; his two sons, Jeff (Aleta) Rauch of Pella and Darin (Cindy) Rauch of Fremont; 11 grandchildren, Nichol (Jason) Ohnemus, Nathan (Erica) Rauch, Lucas (Angela) Rauch, Drew (Shelby) Rauch, Jason (Kelly) Rauch, David (Amanda) Richards, Eric Richards, Jodi (Mike) Phillips, Justin Enderes, Wade (Lea) Enderes and Sara Enderes; 12 great grandchildren, Jacob, Jadon, Sydney, Sophia, Cecila, Klara, Kelson, Abby, Mason, Natalie, Clayton and Taylor; a great-great grand daughter, Kimora and two brothers, Robert "Bob" (Phyllis) Rauch and twin brother La Vern (Irveen) Rauch of Montezuma and many other nieces, nephews and friends.

La Vone was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Carolyn Grier.