Kenneth C. Rudolph

Kenneth C. Rudolph, age 92, of Cadillac passed away Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the compassionate care of Sunnyside Senior Living Center, with family by his side. Ken was born on December 27, 1919 to George Peter and Hazel Agnes (Marvin) Rudolph in Clam Lake Township, Wexford County. As a young man Ken worked on the family farm as well as surrounding farms. In August of 1941 he joined the United States Army. He was deployed to the European Theater in 1944 and was involved in several major battles; including the Battle of the Bulge and the Remagan Bridge, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star. He was discharged from the Army in 1945 as a First Sergeant. He worked for BF Goodrich and then operated a service station, Hilltop Service, located where today\'s Big Boy restaurant is. In 1952, after operating Hilltop Service he became a police officer for the City of Cadillac. He left the Police Department as lieutenant in 1963 and became the Assessor for the City of Cadillac, serving in that capacity until 1979. He then operated a real estate appraisal service for many years and later sold real estate until he retired in 1998. He was active in many professional organizations, serving for 14 years as a Chairman of the Central Michigan Assessor Conference and as an instructor for appraisal classes though the University of Michigan. He served as a Cadillac City Councilman as well as a trustee of the Cadillac Area Public Schools. He was an officer of the Cadillac Sportsman\'s Club for 30 years and greatly enjoyed pistol and rifle competition shooting, at which he excelled into his late 70\'s. He enjoyed music, playing guitar and singing at many area senior events into his late 80\'s. He was dedicated to his family and was always there whenever his advice, knowledge, assistance or love was needed. He is survived by his daughter, April (Jeff) Anderson-Smith of Traverse City; son Michael (Deborah) Rudolph of Tustin; granddaughter, Lorraine (Marc) Wistrand of Traverse City; grandsons: Brian (Bethany) Rudolph of Otisville and Timothy Rudolph of Charlevoix; granddaughter Leah (Jerrod) Braman of Onondaga; grandson-in-law, Phillip Lewis of Plymouth; great-grandchildren Eric, Aaron, Seth, Lauren, Joshua, Christopher, Bailee, Bristol, Tristan and Thomas; brother-in-law Gary (Darlene) Christensen; sister-in-laws, Louise Rudolph and Helen Christensen as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Fern E. (Christensen) Rudolph on December 18, 2010; his parents; father and mother-in-law, William J. and Josephine Mae Christensen; son-in-law, Ronald Anderson, granddaughters Lisa Marie Anderson and Michele (Anderson) Lewis; brothers, Bruce and Donald â€œKeithâ€ Rudolph; sister, Ruth Behl; sister-in-law, Jean Rudolph and brother-in-laws, Lloyd Behl and Jack Christensen. Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac with Mr. Brian Rudolph officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac with full military rites under the auspices of the Cadillac Area Honor Guard. Friends may meet the family at the funeral home from 6-8 PM Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baruch Senior Ministries (Sunnyside Senior Living.) An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Kenneth C. Rudolph

December 27, 1919 - June 10, 2012