Rudolph "Rudy" Denes

Rudolph E. “Rudy” Denes, age 79, of West Jefferson, Ohio, passed away at home surrounded by his loving wife and family on Friday, December 29, 2017.  Born in Elyria, Ohio to Hungarian immigrants Rose and Frank Denes, he was a graduate of Elyria Catholic High School.  Rudy was a veteran of the United States Army.  He started his working career as Petroleum Manager at Cuyahoga County Landmark Co-operative.  At the age of 28, he became the Organizational Director of Erie, Huron, Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties Region with the Ohio Farm Bureau at the same time operating the family farm.  In 1970, Rudy was promoted to Supervisor to the Southwest Region with the Ohio Farm Bureau and moved his family to West Jefferson.  In 1978, he took a position as Regional Director with the American Farm Bureau Federation.  Along with his wife Joan, Rudy operated Denes Tree Farm which they started in 1976.  Always active in his community, which he loved dearly, Rudy served the West Jefferson Community in numerous ways.  He served as a Jefferson Township Trustee from 2002-2011, was a member of the West Jefferson Community Association, was a tremendous supporter of Madison County Hospice, a Keystone member of Madison County Hospital, an active supporter of WJYAA-sponsoring many youth sports teams, was an avid hunter and fisherman who greatly supported many conservation groups in Madison County.  His “fourth” child was the West Jefferson Ox Roast where he wanted everybody in the community to come together and enjoy a good sandwich.  Rudy loved spending time with his family and he had a great love for the outdoors.  Always helping those in need, Rudy was ready to lend a helping hand to his friends and neighbors.  His hard-working work ethic was inspiring and contagious to anyone that knew him.  He lived by The Golden Rule.  Rudy was an active and faithful parishioner of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church.  He was a Fourth Degree Knight, Assembly 2727 and active with Council #11224.  He was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Frank Denes, brothers Frank, Louie and Jim Denes, sister Sue Sidley, nephews Jim, Christopher, Tom and Patrick Denes and Bob Sidley, and his granddaughter Logan Elizabeth Denes.  Rudy is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Joan, his children: Joe (Angie) Denes of Marengo, OH, Steve (Lori) Denes of London, OH and Nancy (Terry) Sparks of West Jefferson; grandchildren: Jordan, Riley, Landon and Ryan Denes, Taylor, Lindsey, Mitchell and Sarah Denes, and Nicole Sparks, Travis (Ashley) Sparks and Natalie (Jeremy) McCoy; great-grandchildren: Ella and Hunter Sparks; sister-in-law Patricia Jackson of Elyria, OH; brother-in-law Paul (Sharen) Jarvis of Plain City, OH; other family members and many good friends.  The family would especially like to thank the dedicated staff of Loving Care Hospice of London and Comfort Keepers of Hilliard.  Thank you for your compassionate care.  Rudy’s family will welcome friends from 2-4p.m. & 6-8p.m. FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2018 at SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 9350 High Free Pike, West Jefferson, OH 43162 (614)-879-8562 where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00a.m. SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 with Father William A. Metzger, Celebrant.  Burial will follow the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, West Jefferson.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: The Rudy and Joan Denes Scholarship Fund, c/o West Jefferson Community Association, PO Box 102, West Jefferson, OH 43162.  The Rader-McDonald-Tidd Funeral Home, 1355 W. Main St., West Jefferson, OH 43162, assisted the family.  Please visit www.radermcdonaldtiddfuneralhome.com to send condolences to the Denes Family.