Michael Dudas, Jr.

Michael Dudas, Jr., 98, resident of Columbia, died Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Life Care Center of Columbia. A funeral Mass will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church with Father Davis Chackaleckel, M.S.F.S. officiating. Gene McShane will serve as Eucharistic Minister. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to service time at the church. The family suggests memorials to St. Catherine Catholic Church, 3019 Cayce Lane, Columbia, TN 38401 or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born October 6, 1916 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Michael Dudas, Sr. and Barbara Falatko Dudas. On August 28, 1943 he married Evelyn Finley Dudas who preceded him in death on September 26, 2007. Mr. Dudas served in Guam with the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. For many years he worked with U.S. Government in the Social Security Administration Department in Birmingham as a claims reviewer. An avid gardener he enjoyed raising peonies. He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and a volunteer at Life Care Center of Columbia. Survivors include his son, Michael Dudas, III and daughter-in-law, Patricia; grandchildren, Tim (Carla) Dudas, Marilyn (Brad) Brooks, Cheryl (Patrick) Buckley, and Andy (Kristi) Dudas, and eight great grandchildren, all of Olive Branch, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel C. Dudas; five sisters and a brother. Active pallbearers will be Tim Dudas, Andy Dudas, Brad Brooks, Patrick Buckley, Austin Brooks, Carter Brooks, Dylan Dudas, and Steven Dudas.