Clifford Rudesill

Clifford Frank Rudesill, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Chateau Girardeau.

He was born July 25, 1924, in Chicago, to Walter Jackson and Grace Sophia Blum Rudesill. He and the former Mary Kathryn "Ki" Litzelfelner were married Jan. 20, 1946, at Centenary United Methodist Church, where they continued active membership through their adult lives. They celebrated 68 years together before her death Aug. 5, 2014.

Cliff graduated from high school in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1942.

He obtained his pilot's license, joined the Army Air Forces Air Transport Command, and became a flight instructor at Harris Field in Cape Girardeau. Active duty during World War II took him to Burma, where he flew 87 night missions carrying fuel and supplies over the Himalayan Mountains (called The Hump) into China. He was thereafter a proud and active member of the Hump Pilots Association, never missing a reunion until so few of them survived the group decided to disband.

After the war, Cliff went into sales and sales management, working for hardware companies in several Midwest cities. In 1968, he returned to Cape Girardeau when he bought an interest in Riverside Building Supply and Home Centers and served as the company president until his retirement in 1984.

During that time he was a member of the board of directors of Hardware Wholesalers Inc. many years, for which he also served as chairman. Cliff was an active member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce many years, serving on its board of directors and as board chairman. He was also a member of the board of directors of Greater Cape Girardeau Development Co., Cape County Industrial Development Authority and SEMO Port Authority, and had been enthusiastically involved in many other civic activities as well.

Survivors include a son, Mark C. (Charryl) Rudesill of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Mary Gail (Brian) Rohr of Naperville, Illinois; four grandchildren, Caira Rudesill, Daniel (Janet) Rohr, Andrew (Sheela) Rohr and Mary Margaret (Mark) Rubin; and five great-grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by all, including his extended family, the Culps, Leblancs, Mooneys, Phillips and Litzelfelners.

In addition to his wife, Ki, he was preceded in death by his only brother, Walter F. Rudesill, who was killed in a military accident in 1942. Also preceding him in death were his parents, a grandson and a great-grandson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church, with the Rev. David Conley officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum with full military honors by Missouri Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to Centenary Church.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.