Rudes hopes to remain probate judge

A New Year's baby is seeking re-election as Ottawa County's probate and juvenile judge.  Merrill B. Rudes, who has filled that post since February 1973, was born in Genoa, Jan. 1, 1920, the son of Merrill B. and Della Meyer Rudes.  His mother was a native of Clay Center. 

Married to the former Mary Carey Leutz, an Oak Harbor school teacher, Judge Rudes is father of four children.  He and Mrs. Rudes live on South River Road, Oak Harbor, with their pet cat "Nicki".

Judge and Mrs. Rudes are parents of Ms. Diane Windischman, family abuse coordinator for the prosecuting attorney in Lansing, Mich.; Merrill B Rudes, an electronics engineer in Chicago; Attorney Terrence Rudes, Oak Harbor, assistant Ottawa County prosecuting attorney, and DeIla Rudes, who is assistant administrator of the 500-bed Anderson, S.C. hospital.  There are also six grandchildren. children.  [sic]

Rudes' family has lived in Ottawa County many years.  His grandfather owned and operated a grocery store in Clay Center and his father operated the Ford agency in Genoa for many years. 

After graduation from Genoa High School, Judge Rudes attended Ohio State University and won his doctor of jurisprudence degree at the University of Toledo Law School in 1955, the same year he was admitted to the Ohio State Bar.

Before that, Merrill B Rudes owned and operated the Rudes Grocery Story [sic] in Clay Center for 10 years, was co-manager with his brother George of the Nick Stevens Motor Sales in Genoa, and was editor of the Woodville News for a year. 

For six years after becoming a lawyer, he was a partner in the law firm of Rosentreter and Rudes in Oak Harbor.  Judge Rudes first bore that title after he was elected judge of Port Clinton Municipal Couty and served in that capacity from November 1961 to February 1973. 

Elected judge of the Ottawa County probate and juvenile court, he has been on that bench since February 1973.  He has received six Ohio Supreme Court awards for superior judicial service during those years and served several years on the executive committee of the Ohio Municipal Judge's

With nearly 17 years of experience as a judge, Rudes seeks re-election on the basis of his lengthy experience, his background and his proven qualifications.  Lookwood Zeis is his campaign manager, and Zeis and his committee workers are conducting an active campaign throughout the county for Rudes' re-election. 

Rudes served four years in the 90th Infantry Division during World War II, and rose from private to captain.  He served 20 months in the European theater, from the Normandy invasion to Czecho-Slovakia.  He was recalled from 10 months during the Korean conflict, and served as a troop commander at Camp Atterbury, Ind. 

An active member of the Oak Harbor American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts, Rudes has served as past post and county council VFW commander.  He also is always on duty to help prepare and serve the Memorial Day breakfasts and the Armistice Day stews at the Legion post.  

Source: "Rudes hopes to remain county probate judge," News Herald, 30 October 1978, Front page, whole bottom.

 

**UPDATE** The Wives of Oscar Leutz

 Two updates in two days?!  My goodness I must be on a roll or something.  And oddly enough it is on the same topic as yesterday.  If you will recall I was attempting to sort out the four known wives of Oscar Leutz.  Today I confirmed Uncle Bob once again.  Oscar's marriage to Bertha Woods was in fact very short lived.  They were married December 28, 1920 and were divorced in October, 1921.  As found in the newspaper announcing the separation...

In the case of Oscar Leutz vs. Bertha A. Leutz, Judge Wierman has granted a divorce to the plaintiff on the grounds of gross neglect of duty, and the defendant divested of all property rights of plaintiff by way of dower or otherwise, and defendant has been restored to her maiden name Bertha Woods.  

 

**UPDATE** The Wives of Oscar Leutz

I have new information regarding Oscar Leutz and his four wives.  If you need a refresher, the previous update can be found here.  I have recently come across some information regarding wife #1, Myrtle Long.  In fact I have a fair bit of information thanks to a very beautifully written obituary. 

Death of Mrs. Oscar Leutz 

Mrs. Myrtle Long Leutz, second daughter of Mr and Mrs. Edwin Long, of Toledo, was born near Elmore, January 1st, 1888, was married to Oscar Leutz, Dec. 10th, 1904, and died at her home in Oak Harbor, on Oct. 12th, 1907, after an illness of only one day.  She leaves a husband, son, father, mother, two sisters and two brothers, besides a host of other relatives and friends, to mourn her untimely departure.  

Very early in life, she united with the Second Baptist church of Toledo and remained a faithful member of that organization.  She was a member of the Christian Sunday School, of Oak Harbor, also of the Ladies' Aid society of that church. 

The funeral, Tuesday, was from the Christian church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. L. Morrison.  The floral emblems were numerous and beautiful, mutely testifying of the love of the living for the dead. 

The fair young mother with her infant daughter, which died at birth, resting peacefully on her quiet breast, was indeed a touching sight, and the large concourse of sympathizing friends mingled their tears with those of the desolate husband.  Only the tender, softening hand of Time, and the hope to "Some day greet with pleasure, the dear ones waiting there," can console him. 

Extra special shout out to Uncle Bob who thought she'd died in child birth with her son, Ivan.  The dates didn't line up but I just assume Uncle Bob didn't know she'd had another baby, especially so close to the birth of her son.  The babies were about 1 year and 7 months apart.  What a tiny little fella to lose his momma.  Also, for those of you that didn't do the math, Oscar married Myrtle when she was 16 and buried her at 19.  I'm so glad to finally be able to add more information regarding this young woman to the tree and help her short life be remembered in some fashion.   

Where it fits:  Oscar Leutz is the son of Gustav and Mary (Washa) Leutz.  This makes him the brother of Leon Leutz who was the father of Mary Cary (Leutz) Rudes.