Louis M. Rudlaff, 79, of Dowagiac, passed away at 8:42 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at his home.

Arrangements are pending at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home.

Louie’s life began on March 28, 1930, in Berrien Springs, the son of Herman and Ottilia (Ragus) Rudlaff.

He was a farmer and owner of Louie’s Bar in Bridgman for 19 years.

Louie was also employed by Weldon International in Bridgman until retirement in 1992.

He had been married to Beverly Canfield Rudlaff, who preceded him in death in November 1998.

He then married Laurel Purdy Rudlaff on Jan. 8, 2000, in Bridgman.

Louie was a well known accordion player and was the band leader of the Polka-Nuts Band.

He was a volunteer fireman for the Bridgman Volunteer Fire Department.
Louie was a member of the D.A.N.K. and the Kicker’s Club.

His greatest joy was his family, which includes his wife Laurel of Dowagiac; children, Patricia (Jack) Herman of Galien and Louis Benjamin Rudlaff of Niles; stepdaughter, Mary (Tom) Cagney of Cassopolis; grandchildren, Angela Rudlaff of Niles, Christopher Herman of Galien, Danielle Hradel, Kayla Rudlaff and Adrianna Rudlaff, all of Niles, William Merrick Jr of Northville, and Megan (Paul) Pena of Muskegon; great-grandchildren, Lela Quiggle, Joshua Rudlaff, Lillie Hradel, McKenzie Meyer and Zayn and Qays Merrick; sisters, Helen Strefling of Galien, Dorothy Vance of California, Eleanor Hoge of Baroda and Emma Brenner of Plymouth, Mich.; and brother, Paul Rudlaff of Niles.

Louie passed away at his home on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.

He is preceded in death by a grandson, Michael James Priebe, and 10 brothers and sisters.

His family will gather with friends on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home in Dowagiac.
His funeral service will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman led by the Rev. Jon Bendewald.
He will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles, at a later date.
Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School.
Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Louie at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.