Earl Melvin "Mel" Rauch

Earl ‘Mel’ Rauch passed away on January 21, 2024. He was surrounded by his family at the Veterans Home in Butte, MT. Mel was born in Butte, MT on January 5, 1948, to Earl Melvin and Lois (Williams) Rauch. Mel was the third child of 5 born to Earl and Lois (Williams) Rauch. Mel attended Longfellow grade school, East Junior High, and Butte High School. He later completed a GED and graduated from Montana Tech with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. In 1970 he joined the Montana National Guard and went to Officer Candidates School. He later transferred to the Army Reserve and served 22 years. While in the service he was a successful competitive pistol shooter. He was trained as a Logistical Operations Officer. He spent a great deal of his military service working in Germany and Denmark. He retired from the military shortly after returning from the Persian Gulf War. Mel had a variety of jobs throughout his life. Early on Mel worked as a miner in the Stewart Mine for a few years and then transferred to the Berkley Pit as a heavy equipment operator. He owned a gas station in Butte, MT. He was a Dispatcher, EMT, and Police Officer for the Butte Police Department for many years. He was also the Director of Buildings Maintenance, and Transportation for the Butte School District. Mel was known to be a hard worker, he always had something to tinker on whether it was a project in the garage or working his land. Throughout his life Mel donated countless hours to the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Scoutmaster several times and held many other scouting positions in the Vigilante District. During his years of service, he received numerous awards including The Prestigious Silver Beaver Award. Mel was a devote member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He held numerous positions within the church. In his younger years Mel was an avid hunter, fisher, and horseback rider. He loved taking trips to the Bob Marshal Wilderness on horseback. He enjoyed camping with his family, the boy scouts and the LDS church. Mel married Patricia Connors of Butte on November 12, 1965. Together they had two daughters: Keli and Melissa. Mel and Pat later divorced. On May 19, 1972, Mel married Jineen Fae Duffy of Butte in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they have 5 children: Benjamin, Andrew, Clara, Rebekah, and Samuel. A big motivating factor in Mel’s life in his later years was his many grandchildren. Being able to spend time with them lite up his world. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Rosemary Stock and Barabara Masters and grandson Tye Batterman. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Jineen Rauch, and his children: Keli and Jay Fortune of Butte, Melissa and Craig Barker of Boise; Benjamin and Kelley Rauch of Butte; Andrew and Marci Rauch of Butte; Clara Rauch-Davis of Clancy; Rebekah Mackey of Billings and Samuel Rauch of Butte. His many grandchildren, Justin Fortune; Zach, Kyle and Brandon Barker; Kyle, Brianne, Cora, and Ledoux Rauch; Zach, Andrew, Rafe, Tayla, and Talon Rauch; Wyatt Rauch and Declan Davis; Evy Mackey; Jace, Eme, and Samson Rauch; and 2 great grandchildren Axel and Cruz Fortune. Mel’s funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1531 Mount Highland Drive, Butte at 11:00 am. Family and friends are welcome.

Tributes

Earl Melvin "Mel" Rauch

January 5, 1948 - January 21, 2024