Mr. Rathgeber, age 76, of The Villages, FL, was a graduate of UW-Milwaukee, a US Army veteran, and The Adjudication Officer of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in South Dakota and Indiana. He administered a program of compensation and pension for disabled veterans, war widows and orphans. He began a 36 year career of public service in Milwaukee, WI and retired in January 1997.
He was a Villages resident since 2003, and a member of Open Bible Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Gail; daughter Deborah Turley; grandson Aaron Turley; sister Rita Poznanski; and several nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Memorial service will be held Monday, March 5, 2018 11 a.m. at Open Bible Lutheran Church, The Villages, FL. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Lafayette, IN.
Private inurnment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations may be given to the church.