Nancy Rudge
Nancy Marilyn Secrest Rudge age 91, of Caldwell, OH went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at the Altercare Summit Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Caldwell. She was born March 20, 1933 in Marion, OH, daughter of the late Halleck and Mary Moore Secrest.
She was a 1951 graduate of Caldwell High School and completed nurses training at White Cross Nursing School, which was something she considered a calling not a career. Nancy was a faithful member of the Caldwell United Methodist Church, where she played the organ and piano for over 20 years. She also offered leadership and participation in various committees with the church – including numerous fundraising activities for church missions – and personal friendship and support to the many pastors who served at the church.
She was a member of the Curly Q’s Square Dance Club and Sunshine Singers. Nancy enjoyed playing cards and board games with family and friends, feeding her birds, reading, running errands to visit with store personnel around Caldwell, and cooking. She was well known for her pies and strawberry jam. Until her death she was passionate about supporting her friends and family (and often strangers) – sending random cards and notes, making regular check-in calls, transporting people to doctor’s appointments, checking blood pressures, providing housing and food, and meeting any need she sensed with those around her. Her life was a masterclass in love and service with a devotion to God, her family, friends, and community.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Barbara Secrest.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Robert “Bob” S. Rudge whom she married January 13, 1957 and would have celebrated 68 years of marriage in January; children Kim (Tim) Brummel of Perrysburg, OH, Karen (Jim) Pierce of Gahanna, OH, and Keith (Christin) Rudge of Coatesville, IN; grandchildren Troy (Heather) Brummel, Amanda (Josh Pammer) Pierce, Scott Brummel, Lauren (Gaven Motschenbacher) Pierce, Emily (Caleb) Brown, Andrew Rudge, Josiah Rudge, Addison Rudge; 7 great-grandchildren Finley, Owen, Samuel, June, Claire, Zoe & Carson; brother Darrell Secrest of Shelby, OH. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
The family will receive friends for memorial visitation Friday, December 27, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Caldwell United Methodist Church, 537 Main Street, Caldwell, Ohio 43724. A celebration of Nancy’s Life will conclude visitation Friday, December 27, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Caldwell United Methodist Church, with Pastor Gary and Dianne Fitzgerald officiating. Inurnment will be held at Olive Cemetery in Caldwell at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed in Nancy’s honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org).
Finally, the family would like to thank the staff of Summit Acres for their personal and very loving care of Nancy, many with whom she developed special friendships.
Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 609 West Street, Caldwell, OH 43724 has been entrusted to care for the family. Please join us in remembering Nancy by visiting her memorial at www.ChandlerFuneralHome.net
