Ralph Alexander Rudy:

Ralph A. Rudy, 89, formerly of RD 1, West Township, Petersburg, PA, died Tues., July 6, 2004 at Centre Crest Nursing Home, Bellefonte, PA where he had been residing.

He was born May 19, 1915 in Huntingdon, PA, to the late Raymond R. And Malinda C. (Miller) Rudy. He was the second eldest of twelve children.

On March 6, 1934, he married Sarah E. Zerby who preceded him in death on July 1, 1961. They had four children: a daughter, Shirley Northup of San Diego, CA; a son, Stanley E. Rudy of Upper Marlboro, MD; Robert A. Rudy of State College, PA; a daughter, Connie Kuhlman of Bellefonte, PA.

On Oct. 6, 1961, he married Mary R. “Mayme” Crandell who also preceded him in death on January 14, 2001. They had one son: Terry L. Rudy of Petersburg, PA.

He is survived by sisters Betty Rinehart of State College, Bertha Parker of State College, Grace Tice of State College, Gretta Klinefelter of State College, Twila Campbell of Julian, PA; brother, Clair Rudy of Pennsylvania Furnace, PA; Step-daughter, Lauretta Cline of State College; Step-son Robert Eugene Rudy of Frederick, MD.

He is also survived by a grandson raised in his home, Joseph Ripka of Pennington Gap, VA; eight (8) grandchildren and nine (9) great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sisters: Sarah Shoul, Mary Myers and Irene Etters; and two brothers: Robert W. and Walter S. Rudy.

He was a veteran of World War II where he served in the U.S. Army 222nd Signal Depot Company as a heavy truck driver from Nov. 6, 1943 to Oct. 6, 1945. He was wounded in action near the Ruhr River in France and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with 5 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and Sharpshooter certification.

He retired from the Applied Research Laboratory of the Pennsylvania State University in 1977.

He was a former member of the Juniata Valley Senior Citizens Center, Shavers Creek Volunteer Fire Company and the Legion in the Woods VFW Post #245, State College, PA.

In his younger days, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, carpentry, bird and animal watching, telling jokes and playing with his young grandchildren.

Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. on Thur.. July 8, 2004, at the Cutright-Speck Funeral Home - Juniata Valley Chapel, 412 Main Street, Alexandria, PA 16611.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Fri., July 9, 2004, at the Cutright-Speck Funeral Home - Juniata Valley Chapel, 412 Main Street, Alexandria, PA 16611.

Pastor Randy Willis will officiate.

Interment is at Mooresville Cemetery, West Township, Petersburg, PA. Full military honors will be accorded at graveside.