Lyle Henry Rath

Lyle Henry Rath, age 88, of Stover, died Monday, December 5, 2011, in route to the hospital in Columbia.
He was born February 11, 1923, in Winona, Kansas a son of Henry and Emma Pauline Kamla Rath. He was brought to the Lord in baptism on March 23, 1923, in Winona by Rev. Heinicke. He was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on May 1, 1937, in Haigler, Nebraska by Rev. Heomann, after receiving instruction from Rev. Woodrow Kurth. The confirmation verse chosen was Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
On January 31, 1949, Lyle was united in marriage to Etta Jean Calvert at Danforth Chapel at Kansas University. To this union two sons were born. Jean survives at their home in Stover.
At a young age his parents moved back to a farm close to St. Francis, Kansas, which his maternal grandparents had homesteaded after immigrating to the United States. Lyle spent all of his formative years on this farm.
Lyle was a 1940 graduate of St. Francis High School. Following graduation he attended the Stevinson Aeronautical School in Kansas City, Missouri. From there he went to Baltimore, Maryland to work for Western Electric.
He was an Army veteran, serving his country in World War II from February 1943 until October 1945, returning home after serving five months stateside and 27 months in the European Theater of war; including the Anzio Beachhead.
From 1946 until November 1949, he attended the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy.
In November of 1949, he decided to move to Stover, where he purchased the telephone exchange from the late Charles J. and Cornelius Fajen. On January 31, 1958, he converted the company to dial and continued to operate the company until October 1968, when he sold it.
Lyle found great comfort and strength in His Lord through many severe illnesses. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church from the time he moved to Stover. He served his church in several offices.
He helped found and was instrumental in securing the Grant which established the Golden Age Nursing Home in Stover, serving on the Board of Directors for more than 40 years.
His greatest enjoyment was working on and driving his old cars, including 3 Edsels and his parents 1951 Ford. He served as president of the Heart of America Edsel Owner's club for 3 terms.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, James H. and Patricia Rath of Lee's Summit and Mark A. and Vickey Rath of Shreveport, Louisiana; five grandsons, Shawn Rath and wife Kari, Ryan Rath, Benjamin Rath, Nicholas Rath and wife Haley and Michael Rath, two great grandsons, Patrick Rath and Gabriel Rath, along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Paul Rath.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 9, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Cecil Murdock officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Stover.
The family will receive friends from 4:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. Thursday, December 8, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul Lutheran Church.