RANDOLPH - Elwood Emery "Joe" Rahn, 76, of Randolph, died unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 3, 2010 at his home.
Joe was born Sept. 19, 1933, in Dalton, to Martin and Jeanette Rohde Rahn. Following his schooling, Joe was employed at Rockwell of Randolph for eight years. He was drafted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany during the Korean War. On April 19, 1958, Joe was united in marriage to Margaret Evers at First Reformed Church in Randolph. Joe was employed with Beaver Specialties for 32 years. Following his retirement, he continued to work as a self-employed carpenter for 15 years, and especially enjoyed working with wood. Joe enjoyed outdoor activities and was an active hunter, fisherman and trapper, and was a member of the Dalton Rod and Gun Club. He loved watching sports of all kinds. He was especially fond of and excelled at baseball, and enjoyed playing in a league as a young man. Joe spent many hours gardening, mowing the lawn and spraying the orchard. He loved sharing the harvest and fruits of his labors with family and friends. Joe belonged to the Randolph Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9510. He was a longtime member of First Reformed Church of Randolph.
Joe is survived by Margaret, his wife of 52 years; two sons, Rohan Forkner of Australia and Ronald Forkner of Florida; his granddaughter, Amber Forkner; his grandson, Justin Forkner; one brother, Wayne Rahn of Ripon; one sister, Carol (Joe) Neis of Montello; two sisters-in-law, Millie Rahn of Beaver Dam and Fran (Harold) DeVries of Randolph; a brother-in-law, John (Jane) Evers of Columbus; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond and LaVerne Rahn; and a sister-in-law, Minnie Rahn.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at First Reformed Church, 406 S. High St., Randolph, with the Rev. Ben Bruins and the Rev. Tim Ehrhardt officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post 9510.
Joe's family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday (today) at Randolph Community Funeral Home, Randolph, and Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
A memorial fund has been established for the Gideons.
Randolph Community Funeral Home is serving the family.
Posted in Obituaries on Monday, September 6, 2010 11:45 pm Updated: 11:45 pm.
