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RUDOLPH SPINLER, Obituary

Rudolph "Rudie" Joseph Spinler, 88, World War II veteran and retired farmer, died Friday, Aug. 23, 2002, at a Havre care facility of natural causes.

Funeral service is 2 p.m. Tuesday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial is to follow at the Highland

Cemetery with full military honors. Reception is to follow burial at the Vets Club in Havre.

Rudy was born March 22, 1914, to Rudolph J. and Mary (Spinler) Spinler at Hingham. He attended Brennan School, north of Hingham.

In 1963, Rudy married Dorothy Hanson in Havre. The couple resided at 937 Second St. N. in Havre. Dorothy preceded him in death in 1976.

Before entering the U. S. Army, Rudy worked for Frank Kocar in Hingham from 1929 through 1940 as a farm laborer raising wheat, oats and rye. He operated the reaper, combine and tractor. He also repaired farm machinery and tractors.

On Nov. 20, 1940, Rudy entered the Army. He was a member of the engineer construction battalion, which constructed roads, built bridges and constructed other projects such as mines, and cleared minefields. He used jackhammers, wrecking bars, pick and shovels, and pioneer sets. He was wounded in Sicily and received a Purple Heart. He also received an EAME Theatre Ribbon, a Bronze Service Star for the Rome-Arno Campaign, and a Bronze Service Star for participation in the Algerian Tunsinian Sicilian and Naples campaigns. He further received the American Defense Service medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, and a lapel button. He received an honorable discharge March 8, 1946.

From 1947 through 1952, Rudy owned and operated the Spinler Family Farm near Hingham. He also worked as a veterinary assistant for a local clinic. He was also a service station attendant before retiring. He moved to Havre due to employment in 1958.

He was a member of the St. Jude Catholic Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed raising his chickens and gardening. He was very patriotic, flying a flag on a flagpole located on his front lawn year-round. He was a member of the honor guard and presided at numerous funerals for fellow veterans.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Mary (Spinler) Spinler; wife, Dorothy (Hanson) Spinler in 1976; sisters, Martha Beranek, Elizabeth "Bessie" Smiler and Mary Matejcek; brother, Vencil Spinler; and infant brother, Benjamin Spinler.

Survivors include his sister, Agnes Wencel of Medford, Minn.; brothers Jay (Lillian) Spinler of Havre and Frank (Judy) Spinler of Hingham; numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Rudy's honor may be made to the Building Fund, St. Jude Catholic Church, 624 Fourth St., Havre, MT 59501

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.

 

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