Florence Ann Rudge

Florence Ann Rudge, a lifelong resident of the Shenango Valley, passed away peacefully at 5:45 PM Friday, May 9, 2008, surrounded by family in her room at the John XXIII Home, Hermitage, PA. She was 87. Florence was born in Sharon, PA, August 11, 1920, a daughter of John Christ Bombeck and Aurie (Hall) Bombeck. Flo, as she was known to many, graduated from Sharon High School and married Frank Pershing Rudge in 1941. A homemaker who adored her children and invested her life in them, she always had a smile and a positive word for everyone. She looked for the good in people and found it. She was loved by all who knew her. Florence was a volunteer for the Bill Rudge Ministries for over 20 years and went with her son Bill and his wife Karen on several mission trips, as well as letting the ministry use the upstairs of her home during its first year. She also served as a volunteer for many years with Prison Fellowship at the Mercer County Jail and the Mercer County Regional Prison, and had attended activities at the Mercer County Area Agency on Aging. She had been a member of the Central Christian Church, Hermitage, the First United Methodist Church, Sharon, and the Lakeside E.C. Church, Transfer, PA. Following the death of her husband, she moved from her lifelong home on West State Street in Sharon to her son Bill's home where she lived for 16 years. With a decline in her health after several falls, she moved into the Bentley House in 2003 and later in 2005 to the John XXIII Home. She was cared for and loved by many. Florence was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Lynn on July 3, 1963; by her husband, Frank on May 11, 1987; by her twin infant brothers; and by her parents. Survivors include: her daughter, Karen and her husband, Ted Heutsche, Dewitt, Michigan; her four sons, Larry and his wife, Laura, Mercer, PA, Ken and his wife, Marilyn, Poland, Ohio, Bill and his wife, Karen, Hermitage, and Frank Jr. and his wife, Kelly, Hermitage; her 13 grandchildren; and her 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday (5-13-2008) at the Madasz Funeral Chapel, Brookfield, Ohio, officiated by her son, Rev. William Rudge, her grandson, Dr. B.J. Rudge, and her son-in-law, Deacon Ted Heutsche. Calling hours will be Monday from 4-7 PM. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage. As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests contributions can be made to the Bill Rudge Ministries, 280 N. Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage, PA 16148. Throughout her life, Florence faced and overcame life threatening illnesses and injuries, until after five years of declining health, her Lord called her home: "I won't be around to help you very much longer. My time has almost run out. Very soon now I will be on my way to Heaven. I have fought long and hard for my Lord, and through it all I have kept true to Him. And now the time has come for me to stop fighting and rest. In Heaven a crown is waiting for me which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And not just to me but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to His coming back again." (2 Timothy 4: 6-8) Family & Friends can send condolences to www.madaszchapel.com.