Mr. Fred Marcellus Rudd

Mr. Fred Marcellus Rudd, 87, of Peoria, IL departed this life Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 6:05 PM at Richard Owens Hospice Home. Fred “The Mighty Roach” was born October 22, 1926 to the union of Fred Rudd and America (Smith) Rudd in Litchfield, Illinois. Fred attended Lincoln Grade School and Manual Training High School of Peoria, Illinois. He married Martha Jackson on January 2, 1949 and to that union 10 children were born. Fred was an U.S. Navy Veteran, serving honorably during World War II, in Okinawa and Hawaii. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church currently under the leadership of Reverend Alphonso Lyons, Jr. He served faithfully as a member of the Brotherhood and as a Trustee. Fred was owner of “Rudd’s Auto Body Shop” until he retired in 2009.He was an instrumental member of the Atomic Jets Motorcycle Club where the love of riding and racing brought countless awards and accolades along with admiral respect from his fellow brothers and sisters of the motorcycle family. He was a faithful member of the American Legion, Post 537. Fred was well known for his “Bar-B-Que Pits” and was acknowledged by Peoria Journal Star Newspaper in July 2007. Fred leaves to cherish his memory; his wife of 65 years; eight daughters, Linda Turner, Brenda (Tony Thomas) Cayson, Marcia (Lee) Lowe, Vanessa Peters, Theresa Gloster all of Peoria, IL, Pamela (Kenneth) Washington of DeSoto, TX, Sharon (Michael) Collins of Bloomington, IL, Laurie (Lloyd) Thompson of Matteson, IL; two sons, Fred (Tamika) Rudd, Frank (Brenda) Rudd of Peoria, IL; 22 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Rosalie Stone of Peoria, IL; a host of other family members and friends who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Sonny Gayles and James Rudd; three brothers, Frank, Wilburn and Sam Rudd; one sister, Pauline Nance; one grandchild, Willie Riley and a great grandchild, KeAsia Edwards. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at his beloved Church with a visitation two hours prior beginning at 10 AM. Pastor Alphonso Lyons, Jr., will officiate. Fred will be laid to rest at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion M.B. Church. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to simonsmortuary.com.

Tributes

Mr. Fred Marcellus Rudd

October 22, 1926 - March 20, 2014