Luke Van Ranst, 28, of Charlestown died unexpectedly on December 4, 2012. 

He was born on September 12, 1984 in San Francisco, CA to John and Claire Van Ranst.

In 1996, after a breast cancer diagnosis on his mother, Luke came to NH to live with his Uncle John M. “Mike” Garoutte and family in Charlestown. 

He attended Fall Mountain Schools, however, he was able to be reunited with his mother for an extended period of time and graduated from Leesburg High School in Leesburg, FL in 2002.

Following graduation he joined the U.S. Army and graduated Fort Leonard Wood, MO as MP and had served in Korea.

After discharge he was employed at both Mr. G’s and Dunning Woodworking in North Walpole.  Luke at that time joined the Vermont National Guard, Delta Co 3^rd BN 172^nd Infantry (MTN).  SPC Van Ranst proudly served in Afghanistan with that unit.

Luke was predeceased by both his parents and his uncle Mike Garoutte.

He is survived by his NH family, Maura Garoutte and cousins, John Garoutte, Matthew and Bethany Kaiser; one half brother, Ian Fraser of Florida.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH on Sunday, December 9^th from 4-7 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 10^th at Ten O’clock in the morning at St. Mary Church in Claremont with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, officiating.

Burial will follow in the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.