Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rudolph Joseph DeVolder

Sept. 28, 1927 - Feb. 7, 1999

South Bend Tribune 2/9/1999

Rudolph Joseph DeVolder, 71, of South Bend, Ind., died in his home on Sunday, Feb. 7, where he had resided for 45 years. He was born in Mishawaka, Ind., on Sept. 28, 1927, to Cyriel and Martha Van Hecke DeVolder. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Henry and Adolph; and by a sister, Genevieve.

On Oct. 3, 1953, he married Patricia Eileen Morse, who survives. Rudy is also survived by seven children: four daughters, Martha (Ed) Knapp, Marcia (Paul) Abrams and Maureen (Bob) Jamieson, all of Granger, Ind., and Mari Kay (Gary) McStay of Sun Valley, Idaho; and three sons, John and Patrick of South Bend, and Andy of Tempe, Arizona. Rudy was the grandfather of Amy Knapp, Adam Honeywell DeVolder, Robert, Lauren and Ryan Jamieson, and Lindsey and Kylie Abrams. He was also loved by a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law, John and Cheri Morse; a sister-in-law, Anita Morse; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rudy was retired as a painter from the South Bend Community School Corporation where he worked for 33 years. Rudy devoted many years as a coach and umpire for the Clay Junior Baseball Association. He served as secretary/treasurer of the A.F.S.C.M.E. Local Union 686 for several years. Rudy and Pat were married in Christ the King Catholic Church where they have been faithful members throughout their lives together. Rudy was an active member of the Man-to-Man cancer support group of Indiana and Michigan. His friends describe him as a caring, loving, inspirational ''tug boat.'' He will be deeply missed by his family who also depended on him for his great sense of humor, and for the encouragement he gave them to get through anything they brought to him for his advice.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend. A Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 U.S. 33 North, South Bend. The Mass will be concelebrated by Father Philip DeVolder, his nephew, and Father Gary Chamberland. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Mishawaka. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437; to the American Cancer Society, 535 W. Edison, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or to Christ the King Catholic School, 52473 U.S. 33 North, South Bend, IN 46637.