B. Rahn Obituary

B. Vernon Rahn ISLANDTON, SC - Mr. Brantley Vernon Rahn, 74, of 1737 Adnah Church Road, in the Rum Gully Section of Islandton, South Carolina, entered into his eternal rest Tuesday morning, June 7, 2011, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Mrs. Sara Lillian Bazzle Rahn to whom he was married for thirty-eight years at the time of her death in 1998. Funeral services will be conducted 10 o'clock Friday morning, June 10, 2011, from Rice Patch Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 15246 Sniders Highway, Islandton, with The Reverend Larry Smith officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow on the family plot in the churchyard. Serving as casket bearers will be: his two grandsons, Justin Crosby and Joe Crosby; as well as a few of those who worked on the family farm in their younger years, Kipp Polk, Gabriel Polk, Jared Polk, Eric Polk, Ralph Polk, Brian Polk, Josh Montgomery, and Michael McCormick. The family has also requested that attending masons serve as honorary escorts. Mr. Rahn was born August 27, 1936, in Islandton, and was a son of the late Marvin Franklin Rahn and the late Myrtie Marie Sineath Rahn. He served his country faithfully in the South Carolina National Guard. He was a life long farmer having partnered as an owner with his brother to operate and manage the family farm, Rahn Farms, that his grandfather the late Mr. Jesse Polk Rahn founded in 1925. Vernon devoted his life to farming. He shared the love, talent, and skill he possessed for his trade with others of the Islandton community by sharing much of the farm's harvest of sweet corn and watermelon with family, friends, and the neighbors. In 1968, when the partnership with his brother Larry began, they planted the four hundred acres of land their late grandfather also dedicated his life too, and upon his retirement in 2000, Rahn Farms was successfully planting and harvesting four thousand acres. This landmark accomplishment along with his strong work ethic and unweaving dedication to his career and providing for his family allowed him to be recognized on many levels. Among some of these distinguished awards; in 2000, he along with Larry was awarded "Conservation Farmer of the Year" and also that same year he was awarded for "Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Conservation", including good farm management and productivity. In 2005, he was honored as "Colleton-Bamberg Young Farmers Friend of Agriculture Award"; this was prompted by his passion for young children and helping their understanding and development in farming. He did this by sharing with young people such as: Jacob and Courtney Polk and Matthew Williams his love of farming by visiting and sharing farm books, miniature tractors, and treats. He served on numerous state and local Farm Bureau Boards, served on the local county committee of Farm Service Agency (FSA), and was a member of the American Agricultural Movement. He worked in more areas than just the farm life. He was a true servant of the people. He was a founding member of the Islandton Volunteer Fire Department and was extremely instrumental in the founding of Andrew Jackson Academy. He gave great dedication to his service of God. He was a lifelong member of Rice Patch Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Islandton. At his church, he served many terms throughout his life as an Elder and Deacon, was a Board Member of numerous years, and willingly and unselfishly served in many other aspects of the church's work. He was a Master Mason, holding his membership at Hudson Lodge, No. 373 - Ancient Free Masons where he was a Past Master and had been recognized as a life member. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Chapter No. 1998 in Walterboro as well as the Loyal Order of Moose in Walterboro. A common joke among many of his friends was his graduation from the renowned LIT (Lodge Institute of Technology). Vernon Rahn's mission and life's work will carry on through the many of the young men the farm employed that he instilled those virtues he held in high regard. The many dinners he co-hosted at the "Back 40 Shed" will be cherished memories among those who shared in those fellowships along with the highlight of his social life which were his visits to Fit Life will always be a fond recollection to the memory of his family and friends. Surviving are: his son, Kenneth Franklin "Kenny" Rahn and his wife Martha Jo "Sissy" Rahn of Sniders; a daughter, Nancy Lou Rahn Crosby and her husband Jimmy Crosby of Hunters Chapel Community (Bamberg County); a brother, Larry Lamar Rahn and companion Dorothy Polk of Islandton; and two sisters, Barbara Ann Rahn Smith and her husband Orba Lee Smith of Asheville, North Carolina and Loretta Rahn Harriett and her husband Billy Harriett of Lodge. One of the biggest joys of Vernon's life was having his two grandsons, Justin and Joe Crosby, on his farm riding the tractors and combines; there is also a step-granddaughter, Joanna Dubose of Sniders; two step-great grandchildren, Jenna and Jessica Dubose; and his special friend, Mrs. Troyce Crosby of the Black Creek community. He is also survived by an uncle, R. Arnold Sineath and his wife Sharon of Islandton; an aunt, Henrietta Sineath Floyd of North Charleston; three sisters-in-law, Martha Ann Bazzle of Varnville, Alice Gibson and her husband Bobby of Hampton, and Linda Thomason and her husband Joe of Tifton, Georgia; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, to include a special cousin, Edith Mae Rahn Polk of Islandton. He had two special friends who dedicated their time to Vernon, Dr. and Mrs. Harry Hershel and Betty Polk of Yemassee; and a caregiver, Patsy Hartley of Islandton. Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has respectfully requested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to: Rice Patch Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 15246 Sniders Highway, Islandton, South Carolina 29929. For those who wish, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence as well as memories of Vernon may be shared with the Rahn family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com; also, a time of sharing your memories will be offered during the funeral ceremony Friday morning. Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 9:00 this Thursday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths