Rudie Blozovich's Obituary
Rudolph ""Rudie"" William Blozovich, age 100, of Centerville, Iowa, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Centerville Nursing and Rehab Center.
Rudie was born April 17, 1915 in Rathbun, Iowa, the son of Tom and Pauline (Kavacich) Blozovich. He was raised in Rathbun, Iowa.
He was united in marriage to Lavon Wright on August 19, 1939 in Milan, Missouri, and to this union, was blessed with two children, Diane and Tom. Rudie began working in the Rathbun coal mines at the age of fourteen. He later worked in the mines in Gallup, New Mexico. Prior to marrying Lavon, Rudie worked the tunnels in Chicago during the early 1930s. Furthermore, when Rudie and Lavon were first married, he worked the Carlton Tunnel in Cannon City, Colorado.
Upon the family's relocation back to Centerville, Iowa, Rudie worked in numerous Appanoose County mines, including the Kratofil mine, along with Sunshine #3 and #4. He retired from the coal mines in the early 1950s when he took a position with the John Morrell & Company Meat Packing Plant in Ottumwa, Iowa. Rudie was employed with Morrell for over twenty years, retiring in 1972.
Rudie led a very active life. He was a self educated man and was known to be an avid reader. He maintained many hobbies, including gardening, hunting, fishing and he had a love of gambling-many trips were made to Tama and Las Vegas. Moreover, Rudie and Lavon loved to travel in their retirement years. They enjoyed taking trips throughout the United States with the Iowa Trust & Savings Bank Prestige Club. Rudie was also fond of all animals, especially the family pets. He loved his family and enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events. Rudie was a long time devoted member (Oldest member in the parish) of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville.
He is survived by his wife, Lavon Blozovich of Centerville, Iowa; two children, Diane (Jerry) Butler of Champaign, Illinois and Tom (Claudia) Blozovich of Centerville, Iowa; three grandchildren, Scott Butler of Champaign, Illinois, Dane Blozovich of Centerville, Iowa and Meggie Blozovich of Centerville, Iowa; one great grandchild, Kylie Wells of Rantoul, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. Rudie was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings, Eddie Blozovich, Victor Blozovich, Mary Zemo, and Annie Todey; and two infant siblings.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Friday, July 31, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville with Father Mike Volkmer officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery, Centerville. A visitation will be held at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville on Thursday, with the family greeting friends from 6-8 pm. A Rosary will be conducted at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
July 30, 2015 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
Mass of Christian Burial
July 31, 2015 11:00 AM
St.Mary's Catholic Church 838 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 437-1984
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