Gene A. Rudel
September 29th, 1932 - May 6th, 2025
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Gene's Obituary
Gene A. Rudel, 92, of Benton Harbor a loving husband, father, and grandfather, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Nathan Buch officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, with Military Rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may visit with the family beginning 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Gene’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice or Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Those wishing to sign Gene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Gene was born September 29, 1932 in Stevensville to Andrew & Katherine Rudell. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1951 and shortly after joined the U.S. Marine Corp, serving in Korea during the Korean War. Gene married the love of his life, MaryAnn Grabowski on June 9, 1956, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, MI. He was employed by Clark Equipment Co. for thirty years, retiring in 1985. Shortly after he gained employment as a courier for NBD Bank in Benton Harbor, serving for twenty years. Gene was a long-time member St. Matthews Lutheran Church, now Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, Stevensville American Legion Post 568, and VFW Post 1137.
Gene is survived by his six children, Teresa (Frank) McCain, Gene (Chris) Rudel, Jr., Rahn Rudel, Renee (Jeff) Buchele, Kimberly (Mike) Smithers and Mark (Cindy) Rudel; four grandchildren, Trey (Shelby) Smithers, Anna (Eric) Snyder, Andrew (Madeline) Buchele and RJ (Jordan) Rudel; four great-grandchildren-Brayden, Colton, Everleigh & Olivia. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife MaryAnn on December 15, 2009, and his brother Myron Rudel.
A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Nathan Buch officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, with Military Rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may visit with the family beginning 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Gene’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice or Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Those wishing to sign Gene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Gene was born September 29, 1932 in Stevensville to Andrew & Katherine Rudell. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1951 and shortly after joined the U.S. Marine Corp, serving in Korea during the Korean War. Gene married the love of his life, MaryAnn Grabowski on June 9, 1956, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, MI. He was employed by Clark Equipment Co. for thirty years, retiring in 1985. Shortly after he gained employment as a courier for NBD Bank in Benton Harbor, serving for twenty years. Gene was a long-time member St. Matthews Lutheran Church, now Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, Stevensville American Legion Post 568, and VFW Post 1137.
Gene is survived by his six children, Teresa (Frank) McCain, Gene (Chris) Rudel, Jr., Rahn Rudel, Renee (Jeff) Buchele, Kimberly (Mike) Smithers and Mark (Cindy) Rudel; four grandchildren, Trey (Shelby) Smithers, Anna (Eric) Snyder, Andrew (Madeline) Buchele and RJ (Jordan) Rudel; four great-grandchildren-Brayden, Colton, Everleigh & Olivia. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife MaryAnn on December 15, 2009, and his brother Myron Rudel.
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.