David Michael Rude

1951 - 2020

David (Dave) Michael Rude passed away at his home in Tucson, AZ on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, at the age of 69. Born at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru, IN on Aug. 2, 1951, he was the second of six children to Omer and Nelda (Roth) Rude.

He attended Howard Elementary School in Howard County until the family moved to Miami County in 1963. Dave attended North Miami Middle School and High School where he played saxophone in the band, participated in 4-H, and was a member of the FFA. The family relocated and he graduated from Maconaquah High School in 1970.

Growing up in a farming family allowed him the advantage of learning to drive at a young age. He drove the riding lawn mower at age 7 and tractors and trucks as a young boy and teen while helping his father farm and raise livestock on their family farm in northern Miami Co. As a teenager he worked at Beacher's Garage in Denver, IN and after graduating from high school, Dave attended an auto body trade school in Denver, CO. He applied his trade for auto body at car dealerships and later worked at Chrysler in Kokomo, IN.

Dave joined the Army in 1974 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper based at Fort Bragg, NC. His service then continued as an Army Reservist and he retired an Army Master Sergeant after serving our country for twenty-four years. He had worked as a long-distance truck driver, traveling through every one of the 48 contiguous states, as a restaurant owner, and was employed at an Arizona copper mine.

He married Mary Kester on Aug. 28, 1982.

Surviving along with his wife, Mary, are three sisters and brothers-in-law,

Mary Ann Angell (Kevin), Myra Moser (Todd), Barbara Harkness (Jerald); nephews, Charlie Angell, Sam Angell, Chase Moser (Diana), Drew Moser; nieces, Kara and Kiley Harkness.

He was preceded in death by his parents Omer and Nelda (Roth) Rude; brothers Rex and Dennis Rude; grandparents Sylvester and Emma Rude, Harold and Veda Roth.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 4 p.m. at Mast Hensler Cemetery, 3828 N 600 E Howard County with Dick Moser officiating. Friends and family may attend the Memorial service in casual attire in his honor.