Dr. Elmer John Rauckman, Ph.D., 67, of Freeburg, Ill., born Dec. 19, 1945, in East St. Louis, Ill., died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at his residence.

Dr. Rauckman received a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill., and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Duke University, Durham, N.C. He was a professor at Duke University from 1978 to 1983. He worked with the National Toxicology Program from 1983 to 1988, with Hoechst Celanese Toxicology from 1988 to 1998, and served as a private consultant Toxicologist from 1998 to 2012. Elmer was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Joseph and Isabel P., nee Kassly, Rauckman; and a sister, Victoria Rauckman.

Surviving are his loving wife Susan, nee Thoma, Rauckman; five children, Diana Rauckman (Dave Schoenbaum), Carolyn (Joseph) Gorman, Nichole (Keith) Casey, Joelle (Mark) Hines, and Joseph Stabinsky Jr.; seven grandchildren, Isabel Rauckman, Leann and Kailyn Gorman, Kamden and Madelyn Casey, and Cole and Ryan Hines; and a brother, Michael (Janet) Rauckman.