MT. VERNON - Victor "Vic" Rapp, 84, died on Feb. 1, 2011, at his home in Dahlgren. He was born o n the family farm in Dahlgren on March 20, 1926, son of John and Odelia Rapp. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Kreher on Nov. 8, 1956, in Piopolis. Vic was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He served as a Private First Class in Company D, 8th Battalion, as a rifleman instructor. He was a lifelong member of St. John Nepomecene Church in Dahlgren, where he served many years as a trustee and parish council member. He served several years as a school board member for the Dahlgren Schools in addition to many years as a member of the Dahlgren Volunteer Fire Department. Vic was preceded in death by his parents (John and Odella), brothers (Richard, Jerome and Robert), sister (Marcella), and a sister-in-law (Kay Rapp). He is survived by his wife, Betty, of 54 years, eight children and spouses, 18 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Survivors are daughter Karen and husband John Perryman of McLeansboro, grandson Ryan and wife Stefanie Perryman of Belleville, great-grandchildren Grace and Cole, and grandson Aaron Perryman of McLeansboro; daughter Debbie and husband Randy Rubenacker of Dahlgren, grandsons Rick, Robert, and granddaughter Rachel Rubenacker of Dahlgren; daughter Susan and husband Jim Mikel of Terre Haute, Ind., grandson Logan Pyle of Springfield, Mo., granddaughter Taryn and grandson Tanner of Terre Haute, Ind.; daughter Anita and husband David Brown, granddaughter Adrian, and grandson Marshall of Cambria; son David and wife Erica Rapp, grandson David John and granddaughters Madelyn and Caroline of Perth, Australia; son Paul and wife Lisa Rapp, grandsons Clay and Noah of Dahlgren; son John and Chassity Rapp, grandsons J.D. and Zachery of Dahlgren; daughter Vickie and husband Aaron Grant, granddaughter Evan of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Vic is also survived by his brother, Bernard Rapp of Roseberg, Ore.; sister Loretta and husband Jim Cook of Evansville, Ind.; sister-in-law Lucille Firnstahl of Edgerton, Wis.; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Vic farmed alongside his family on the family farm in Dahlgren, continuing on after his retirement as an "advisor" to his sons Paul and John. Through the family farm, he passed strong work ethic onto his children. Vic loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed many hours quail hunting with his lifelong friend Floyd Herzing. He passed his love of hunting on to his children and grandchildren. Vic's proudest achievement was that all eight children attended Rend Lake College. Arrangements are under the direction of Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren. Visitation will be held at St. Johns Church in Dahlgren on Friday, Feb. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to St. John Nepomecene Church Building Fund or the Dahlgren Volunteer Fire Department.