Eugene D. Ruder

Eugene D. (Gene) Ruder passed away at home on October 29, 2023, at the age of 94. He was born May 16, 1929, to the late Leo and Cleo (Dickerson) Ruder in Villa Park, IL. While still a young boy he moved with his family to the family farm in Redwood Falls, MN and later to Worthington, MN.

He graduated from Worthington High School. He entered the United States Air Force Cadet program in 1948 and graduated in class 51B. He began his flying career in the USAF as a fighter pilot. He also flew with several Air National Guard Units for a total of 23 years of military service, and in civilian life he was a pilot for United Airlines for 34 years, retiring in 1989 as a Captain.

In 1968 Gene purchased a farm in Maple Park, IL and built his own airport, flying his own airplanes off the grass runway until about a year ago. On June 12, 2010, he was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. He was a member of the experimental Aircraft Association and a founding member of the Antique Classic Division. He has a passion for airplanes, motorcycles, horses, and snowmobiles. He had an amazing wit, caring blue eyes and a smile that will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years Bonita (Jouris) Ruder. Five children, Christi Kundrat, Debbie (Rick) Sterna, David (Julie) Ruder, Lisa (Steve) Curatti, and Matthew (Renee) Ruder. Twelve grandchildren; Sean (Angel) Conner, Margaret (Bob) Meyer, Samantha Albert, Steven (Missy) Piscione, Peter (Amanda) Piscione, Alyson (Wes Wieciech) Ruder, Aaron (Darby Bend) Ruder, Kellie (Matt Fabrizius) Ruder, Nicole (Justin Crop) Curatti, Michael Curatti, Jacob Ruder and Tyson Ruder. Fourteen great grandchildren; Amber, Timothy, and Elizabeth Conner, Randee Lisak, Bradlee, Michael, Nicolas, Kerygan and Conner Meyer, Mason and Missy Albert, Leo Piscione, Hannah Wieciech and Paxton Ruder. Sisters Roseanne Penter and Mary Shannon. Brother Leo (Arlis) Ruder, and sister-in-law Glee Ruder. Brothers in law Frank (Katherine) Jouris, and Theodore (Christine) Jouris, sister-in-law Rebecca (Robert) Bend, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Ruder, sister Lois Haberman (who passed 24 hours prior to Gene), brothers-in-law David Shannon, Frank Penter, and Ferdie Haberman and sister-in-law Michelle Jouris.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 4:00pm-8:00pm at First Lutheran Church 324 N. 3rd St. DeKalb, IL. Funeral service will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 10:30am at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Janet Hunt officiating. Burial will be held immediately following the service at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb with full military honors provided DeKalb American Legion Post #66. Memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.