Ernest "Gene" Rudow Obituary (1925 - 2013)

Ernest "Gene" Rudow, 88, of Bloomington, formerly of Pana, died at 2:30am, Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Heartland Healthcare in Normal. Gene was born on January 2, 1925 in Pana, the son of Walter and Sadie Mae Mose Rudow. He was blessed to have married his high school sweetheart Albina "Bina" Monti on June 29, 1948 in Pana. She survives. Gene graduated from Progress Grade School, Pana Township High School and took correspondence courses from Southern Illinois University. He held numerous jobs over the years, including the Purity Baking Company, taxi driver, Penwell Coal Mine, a farm hand, Rudows Market, Illinois FS and Bloomington GROWMARK for over twenty years, retiring in 1986. He was a WWII Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater. He was the Acting Chief Commissary Steward and taught new recruits. Gene had served as an Alderman in Pana, Boy Scout Assistant Leader, Junior Achievement Advisor and most recently volunteered 25 years at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington with close to 12,000 volunteer hours. He received many honors including the first Volunteer of the Year Award at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and the American Red Cross Heroes of the Heartland Volunteer Award. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, Bloomington, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the Moose Lodge. Gene enjoyed golfing, traveling, gardening and volunteering. He never met a stranger and will be remembered for his positive attitude. Gene especially loved spending time with his family and friends. Family was always first in his life. He will be dearly missed. He is also survived by two daughters, Renetta (Terry) Cochran, Bloomington and Jeanie (Rick) Sartori, Manteno, IL; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Fil) Sanchez, Bolingbrook, T.J. (Taylor) Cochran, Punta Gorda, FL and Rich (Debbie) Sartori, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri; nine great grandchildren; a brother, Russ (Mary) Rudow, Port Charlotte, FL and his loving sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, six brothers and two sisters. Funeral Information His funeral service will be Friday, January 18, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home and 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Rev. Gregg Petri officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, Pana with Rev. Rodney A. Schwartz officiating.