DECATUR - Marguerite McNamara surveyed the South Side Country Club dining room: "There are people here I haven't seen for years," she said with satisfaction.

Yes, the weekend Raupp family reunion, the first since 1998, drew brothers, sisters, cousins, in-laws, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from as far away as California, Florida, Arizona, Virginia and Boston. The "I'm here" list amounted to 90 for dinner, 78 for brunch Sunday, from nine months old to age 90.

Golfing, swimming and shopping at Raupp's and on Merchant Street was offered, along with food and reminiscing. Dr. Mike Verive provided a magic show for the children. A slide show of historic photos after dinner accentuated the remembering.

The reunion was in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Raupp's Shoes in downtown Decatur. The store at 139 N. Water St. was established by William Raupp in 1909. In 1914, Carl Raupp, William's son, bought an interest and the store became Raupp & Son. In 1944, William Raupp died and Carl Raupp took charge of the business. In 1947, Carl Raupp died. The store continued with Carl's sons, Jim and Bill, in charge. Bill is now semi-retired.

Carl and Ruth Raupp had eight children who grew up at 404 S. Crea St. Elizabeth Barnett died in 2008. Other siblings who attended were:

n Marguerite McNamara of Decatur, the oldest in attendance at age 90. She is the mother of eight children.

n Sister Ruth Margaret Raupp, CSJ, St. Louis, Mo.

n Ruth Erker, St. Louis, Mo.

n Nancy Blanton, Sikeston, Mo.

n Richard Raupp, Innsbrook, Mo.

Twenty-four Raupps attended. Included were Greg from Tempe, Ariz.; Jenelle from Chandler, Ariz.; Jay and Kathleen from Lenexa, Kan.; Carol from Bakersfield, Calif.; Jon from St. George, Kan.; Steve and Debbie from Chatham. Also Brian Raupp and his wife, Michele, and two children from Bloomington. Brian worked in the shoe store for 22 years

The McNamara, Erker and Blanton families were also well represented. Twenty-eight cousins were counted. Barbie and Ken, the Leonards from Agoura Hills, Calif., were there.

"It was a wonderful, joyful reunion, everything went as planned," said Thelma Raupp, who organized the events along with Linda Brilley. "We've been working on this since last fall," Brilley said.

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