Harold E. Rau, 84, died Oct. 22, 2016 at his home in Bluffton.  Harold was born April 9, 1932, at home in Paulding County, Ohio, to the late Ross and Edna (Titler) Rau.

He graduated from Continental High School in the class of 1950. On June 14, 1952, Harold married Ada (Buckmaster) Rau at the Mt. Calvary Church in Ayersville.

Harold Served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 as a medic and was in the Army reserves from 1955 to 1957.

He was co-owner of M&R Plumbing and Heating in Bluffton with his brother-in-law Bill McKibben from 1958-1973, then from 1973-1997  him and his wife shared ownership of the business. Harold was also an active member of Pleasant View United Methodist Church.

Survivors include wife, Ada of Bluffton, children: Brenda (Don) Ernst of Alaska; Mark (Linda) Rau of South Amherst, Ohio; Rhonda (Dan) Wagner of Ada; 11 grandchildren;10 great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Louella Rau of Holgate.
 
Harold was preceded in death by brothers; Roy, Raymond, Ken, Don; sister Wilma.

Services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant View United Methodist Church, Mt. Cory. Rev. Mark Fuerstenau to officiate. 

Burial will be in the Clymer Cemetery, Mt. Cory.  Visitation will be Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant View United Methodist Church, Mt. Cory and St. Rita's Hospice, Lima.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.