Philip Rudolph Sr.

PERRYSBURG -- Philip J Rudolph Sr. of Perrysburg Township Ohio passed away Sunday October 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Philip was born May 10, 1928 in Lake Township Ohio to John Wiliam and Verna Sophia (Libbe) Rudolph.

He proudly served our country In the United States Air Force from 1950 until 1955. Philip flew 100 missions in an F-80 Shooting Star fighter/bomber jet. The F-80 was the first fighter jet commissioned into combat by the Air Force. He achieved First Lieutenant and was decorated with the Distinguish Flying Cross and four Air Metals. Philip graduated from Lake High School in 1946 and Bowling Green State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

He married Iris Yvonne Jones on June 12, 1955, and shared 54 years of marriage until she passed on November 9, 2009. Also in 1955 Philip, his brother Fritz and their first cousin Allan Libbe, founded Rudolph Libbe Inc., a commercial/industrial construction firm. He retired at age 65 after working as Vice President of Rudolph Libbe Inc. for 38 years.

Philip was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Stony Ridge. He was a former member of the Toledo Country Club, The Toledo Club, The Carranor Hunt & Polo Club and Feather Sound Country Club Clearwater Florida. He was on the Development Board for Owens Technical College (now Owens Community College}, The Medical College of Ohio Foundation Board (now UTMC} and on the board of the Toledo Mud Hens. Philip was also on the Parkview Hospital Board of Directors, President of the Associated General Contractors (AGC} and was also on the funding committee for St. Luke's Hospital. He was an advocate and started and chaired the committee for the construction of the interchange at State Route 795 & Interstate 75 and the interchange at Interstate 75 and 80/90 (Ohio Turnpike). Philip was awarded Wood County Citizen of the Year by The Wood County Commissioners for his leadership on acquiring these two interchanges.

Philip loved to play golf and spend time with his family and friends.

On Dec. 1, 2017, he found love again and married Janice "NeNe" Whitehurst.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janice, children, Eloise Joy (Richard) Wallace of Chattanooga Tennessee, Philip James (Mary Lou) Rudolph Jr. of Perrysburg Township, Ohio, grandchildren, Caitlin (Sam) Shetty, Hunter (Lexi) Rudolph, Kellie (Ross) Woodward, Hollie Wallace, Lauri Tillotson and Elizabeth (Dirk) Boyles; great-grandchildren, Wyatt Richardson, Lila Joy Richardson and Carson Richardson, Audrey Woodward and Chad Woodward, Shea Tillotson and Zane Tillotson, Owen Boyles and sister Kathleen Holzman. Along with his wife, Iris, Philip was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Fritz Rudolph, John

Rudolph, Kerm Rudolph, sisters Mary Oberdick and Helen Kurfess and daughter Elaine Wast.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 3-7 P.M. at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary Perrysburg, where funeral services will be held Friday, October 31, 2025 at 11 AM. Burial will follow in Fort Meigs Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Philip's name to Hospice of Perrysburg, Owens Community College Foundation, Adopt America Network.

Condolences may be made online to the family online at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.