William Rathgaber

William Rathgaber, 86, known to everyone as Bill, peacefully passed on to the glory of
the Lord on Monday, April 15, 2024. Born on March 5, 1938, to William Rathgaber and
Ethel Riley in New York City, he arrived in Fort Wayne at the age of 12. Bill graduated.
from Elmhurst High School and worked in a variety of roles at Acme Duplicating and
Printing, Inc for four decades. He diligently provided for his family and his children.
quickly associated the smell of ink to the comforting presence of Dad. Married in 1961,
he settled in New Haven.

Bill served his country in the Navy and his community through.
the Jaycees, Moose, Eagles, American Legion, New Haven Park Board, his beloved
Navy Club, and as a long-time member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed golf, lawn care, puzzles, trips to Firekeepers, and baseball, including numerous years.
coaching Little League baseball. Bill deeply cared for his family and cherished the
many friends established over decades of active life.

He is survived by his brother,Robert (Dawn) Rathgaber; daughter, Jane (Kevin) Zurbrugg; sons, Rod Engle, Stuart
(Rita) Engle, and Scott (Mary) Rathgaber; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents (William, Ethel); stepmother (Judith); sisters.
(Doris, Nancy); and his loving wife of 58 years, Delores (Dee) Rathgaber. A celebration
of life service will be held on Saturday, April 27, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7211
Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne, IN, at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Messiah Lutheran Church or Honor
Flight Northeast Indiana at www.hfnei.org.

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