Richard C. “Rich” Rudowske, Sr., 64, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Monday, September 28, 2015 at his home.
Celebration of Life Services will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday, October 5, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Cremation will follow the services with burial at Coloma Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran School in St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Rich’s Memory Book online may do so atwww.starks-menchinger.com.
Rich was born February 9, 1951 in Benton Harbor to Henry & Donna (Playford) Rudowske. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1969. On November 3, 1972 he married the former Joyce Bridgman in St. Joseph. Rich was employed at several area companies, most recently at F.P. Rosback in St. Joseph & Whirlpool Plant #7 in Benton Harbor. After retirement, Rich returned to school and graduated from Lake Michigan College. He currently volunteered at Lakeland Outpatient Center in St. Joseph. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Christian Motorcycle Association and Bible Study Fellowship. He was an excellent mechanic and loved to tinker with anything & everything. Rich enjoyed his family time, especially with his grandchildren.
Rich is survived by his wife Joyce; his children-Jennifer (Gerald) Powell of Canton, MI, Richard (Maya) Rudowske, Jr. of Concordia, Missouri, Christopher (Kristine) Rudowske of Portage, MI, Kimberly (Daniel) Longden of Charlotte, MI, Rachel (Kalvin) Miller of Alexandria, VA; seventeen grandchildren-Kayla, Zachary & Abigail Powell, Christopher, Katherine, Matthew, Joshua & Rebecca Rudowske, Mark & William Rudowske, Micah, Grace, Seth & Jonah Longden, Kameron, Nathan & Sebastian Miller; his sister Dianne (Ward) Morrill of McAllen, TX; his brother Rex (Karen) Rudowske of Walker, MI; his mother-in-law Frances Bridgman of Benton Harbor, MI; and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law William Bridgman, Sr. and his granddaughter Isabel Marie Miller.
