Rupert "Rudy" K. Marland, Jr.

Rupert "Rudy" Marland was a hardworking and loyal member of the Grand Rapids community for much of his life. He served his country as a courageous solider, his community as a respected businessman, and his family as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

The year was 1923; gas was 20 cents a gallon and a first-class stamp was only 2 cents. Meanwhile, in Europe, Adolf Schicklgruber (Hitler) was writing Mein Kampf while in prison for attempting to overthrow the German government, and a man named Mussolini was gaining power in Italy. These events would play a role in little Rudy's life, eventually. However, they were far from the hearts and minds of his parents, Rupert and Mary (Corrigan) Marland, on February 7, 1923, the day Rupert "Rudy" Jr. was born. Along with his sister, Betty, Rudy was born in Lafayette, Indiana, but raised in Grand Rapids, where he attended the area schools and graduated from Lee High School.

At the age of 19, Rudy followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. He courageously served during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater and was assigned to the "Flying Tigers", where he flew the "Hump" in many missions over the Himalayan Mountains. Shortly after entering the military, Rudy married the love of his life, Helen Leksa, and they spent the next 52 years together, raising their two children: Loretta and Douglas, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family.

Some time after his honorable discharge, Rudy and Helen made their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he owned and operated his own grocery store on the northeast side of town. Although the store kept him busy, time together as a family was always important to Rudy and Helen. When their children were growing up, they traveled a lot, visiting just about every state in our great country. Later on, when their family expanded to include grandchildren, they all continued to vacation together every year. Rudy was always pretty active and enjoyed a variety of sport activities, including swimming, playing tennis and bocce ball, and going target shooting with his guns. He also looked forward to the winter months when he could take his grandchildren ice skating, which he enjoyed too. A real dare-devil at heart, Rudy loved to sky dive. At the age of 77, he still enjoyed sky-diving, however, Michigan would not permit it because of his age, so Rudy headed to Texas for his next big jump. As a veteran, Rudy was a member of the Hump Pilots' Association and CBI Veterans Association.

Although Rudy's life was happy, it was marked with great sorrow. Rudy lost his beloved wife Helen in 1994, leaving him terribly heartbroken and alone. With the kindness and compassion of his caregiver, Romanita Castillo, Rudy was able to find some joy again in life. He and Romanita fostered a close companionship and enjoyed traveling together on mission trips to Mexico and Venezuela. Rudy also found great comfort in his dogs, who were his constant companions.

All who knew and loved Rudy will treasure his memory.

Rupert "Rudy" K. Marland, Jr., age 84, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helena Marland. Rudy is survived by his children: Douglas (Nancy) Marland and Loretta (John) Johnson; grandchildren: John (Lisa) Johnson, Jr. and Kaley Marland; and four great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to meet with his family on Thursday, April 26, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Van Strien-Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids. The funeral will be held on Friday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 47 Jefferson, Grand Rapids, MI. Interment at Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorial contributions in Rudy's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Rudy or sign his online guest book.