Paul Rudlaff, 87
June 24, 1925-Oct. 17, 2012
Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:24pm Thursday, October 18, 2012
Paul J. Rudlaff, 87, of Niles, died at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center, following a brief illness.
He was born on June 24, 1925, in Berrien Springs, to Herman and Tillie (Ragus) Rudlaff. He graduated from Berrien Springs High School and lived in the area most of his life, including many years on Clarendon Avenue in Niles.
He was employed by Lutheran Mutual and Michigan Mutual life insurance companies as a local insurance agent. Paul was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. He was active at the Senior Center and enjoyed bowling and euchre. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army as a medical non- commissioned officer, leading a squad that was posted in Korea. He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and the former Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4025.
On Feb. 26, 1988, in Niles, he married the former Shirley (Baird) Wickler who preceded him in death on March 22, 2006. He was also preceded in death by a son,
David Rudlaff, on March 30, 2011, and several brothers and sisters.
Surviving family includes his children, Lowell Rudlaff of Idaho, Rebecca Jo (Tom) Tapley of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Gary Rudlaff of State Line, Nev.; two grandchildren; two sisters, Eleanor Hoge of Baroda; many nieces and nephews; and a wonderful circle of friends, including Odie Stewart of Niles.
The funeral service for Paul J. Rudlaff will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett, of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Full military honors will be offered by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post 26.
The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Paul may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church.