Rudolph "Rudy" Smolich

Rudolph (Rudy) Smolich, age 92, of Plainfield, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020 with his family by his side.

Born October 10, 1928, in Crest Hill, to the late Anton and Catherine (Spelich) Smolich.

Survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Lois (Murray) Smolich; devoted children, Kevin Smolich (Glenn Boettger), Kelly (Douglas) Koster; cherished grandchildren, Kyle (Bailey) Koster, Kelsey Koster, Kara Koster and Christopher Boettger-Smolich; great grandchildren, Vera and Lettie Koster; loving nieces and nephew, Dolly Rambow, Lois Pirc, and Lorraine and Chuck Balstrode; sisters-in-law, Jean Eberhart and Michelle Murray; and cousins, Dolly and Bill Hicks.

Preceded in death by his parents; eleven siblings; Jennie, Mary, Anton, Anna, Katherine, Frank, Joseph (infant), Margaret, Edward, Louis, and Frances; in-laws Charles and Julie Murray; and brothers-in-law, Ralph Murray and Charles Murray Jr.

A proud veteran, he served in the United States Marine Corp, receiving the WWII Victory Medal. Following the war he worked at the Joliet Arsenal as a government inspector until leaving to pursue his entrepreneur dream. In 1958, he opened Smolich Grocery in Joliet which he ran for 28 years. He and his brother Ed also owned and operated Smolich Brother's Sausage from 1971 until Rudy retired in 2000.

He was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church, member of the Elks Lodge #296, Joliet Moose Lodge #300, and Old Timers Baseball Association.

An avid White Sox fan, the 2005 World Series victory brought him much joy! He loved fishing, golfing, gardening, and feeding the birds and swans in his backyard. He was the world's greatest Potica baker and we are thankful he shared his recipe and expertise with his children and grandchildren. A devoted family man, he loved spending time at his summer home at Lake of the Ozarks where no trip was complete without a Rudy fish fry.

He enjoyed his annual vacations to the Villages in Florida with dear friends Shelley and Dee Broadrick. Special thanks to his helpful neighbors, Joe DiGiovine and Bill Dew and his long time fishing buddy Rich Anderson.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses at Amita Health Saint Joseph Medical Center and Joliet Area Community Hospice for their compassionate care.

A private memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

A livestream of the service will be made available to anyone wishing to attend virtually. The button to view the service is at the bottom of Rudy’s online obituary page.

Following the service, a private interment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood where Rudy will receive full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Rudy’s memory to Joliet Area Community Hospice.