Rudy Charles Fuchs, 81, of Williamsville died Friday October 6th, 2017 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

Rudy, son of the late Rudy G and Erna (Jaeger) Fuchs was born October 29th, 1935 in St Louis, Missouri.

On April 8th, 1961, he married Diane (Duckett) Fuchs at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff. She survives of the home. In addition to the love of his life of 56 years, Rudy is survived by three children; Steven Fuchs and his wife Shelly of Mill Spring, Lisa Henderson and her husband Kevin of Poplar Bluff, and Eric Fuchs of Mill Spring. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Steve Fuchs of St Louis, Christopher Fuchs and his wife Sarah of Columbia, Aaron Henderson of Ave Maria, Fl, Jacob Henderson of Bolivar, Jordan Fuchs of Mill Spring and her mom, Rae Jean Roach; along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Rudy was preceded in death by a cousin who was like an older brother to him, Lester Fuchs.

As a child, Rudy grew up in north St Louis near Natural Bridge where his parents had the local hardware store. Rudy enjoyed spending his summers as a child with his mom and dad and Grandma Josephine at their second home near Williamsville, which is now Markham Springs Recreational Area. The home at Markham Springs was where he had the fondest memories of fun with all the different family members who would come down for the summer. It would become their full time home in 1956. Rudy graduated from Mercy High School in St Louis in 1954. He attended the University of Missouri – Columbia from 1954-1957 before being called into the Army in 1958. He served in the Army from 1958-1960, serving in the aviation company as a radar operator. Rudy was stationed in Germany, and enjoyed his leave time exploring Europe with his buddy in a 52 VW Bug.

After marriage, Rudy and Diane moved to Williamsville from the farm (as Markham Springs was called) and have resided there since. Rudy served as an Alderman for the city of Williamsville, Mayor for over twenty one years, Fire Chief, Water Board member, and was an original member of the Ozark Regional Foothills Planning Commission. For the last five years, Rudy had also served on the Wayne County Health Board. A longtime member of the Williamsville Lions Club, Rudy participated in the annual Labor Day Picnic which serves as a fundraiser for both the city and district fire departments. Rudy and Diane were also dedicated members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Williamsville.

Rudy’s career over the years included working with his dad at Williamsville Hardware and Lumber, the Wayne County Road Department, and retiring after over 20 years as a rural mail carrier with the United States Postal Service. Rudy enjoyed traveling and being outside, working on the farm on Black River and in later years his garden at home.

Visitation began at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Williamsville. The Funeral Mass - Celebration of Life was held at the pavilion at Markham Springs on Friday at 11:00 am. Burial was at Chapel Hill Cemetery with full military honors. Father Daniel Hirtz ministered to the family. Bobby Hillis, Wes Owens, Steve Fuchs, Christopher Fuchs, Aaron Henderson, and Jacob Henderson served as pallbearers.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials are made to Birthright, 2633 Hopper Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo 63701.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com