Mellige Roy Rudkin, retired refinery control room operator, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2011 in Tulsa at the age of 75 years.
The son of the late Joe Ernest Rudkin and Katie Lee Outlaw Rudkin, Mellige was born on January 10, 1936 in Oppelo, Arkansas, and was raised and educated in Morrilton, Arkansas, graduating from Morrilton High School.
He served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in June 1960.
Mellige was united in marriage to Carolyn Sherrill on December 19, 1958 in Cushing and to this union two sons, Tony and Todd, were born. Carolyn preceded him in death on February 7, 1995. He was united in marriage to Donna Cobble on August 2, 1995 in Cushing.
Mellige and Carolyn had lived in Wilmington, NC for seven years, while there, Mellige had worked for ATC Petroleum. Upon moving back to Cushing, he worked for Hudson Refinery.
Mellige was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Donna, of the home; two sons, Tony Rudkin and his wife JoAnna of Wilmington, NC and Todd Rudkin of Burgaw, NC; three step-children, Mike Caruthers and his wife Kathy of Mannford, Pam Basile and her husband Lou of Cleveland and Jeff Caruthers and his wife Christina of Chandler; nine grandchildren, Kaylee Rudkin, Keith Rudkin, Julie Williams and her husband Jessie, Michael Caruthers and his wife Kindra, Jodie Mendoza and her husband Mark, Keith Basile and his fiancé Michelle Bittler, Brittany Basile, Makenzi Caruthers and Brayden Caruthers; five great-grandchildren, Brayden Rudkin, Brianna Caruthers, Jayden Caruthers, Noah Mendoza and Haylie Williams; two sisters, Maxine Sigler of Oppelo, AR and Claudia Zink of Agra; one brother, Bobby Rudkin of Bell Buckle, TN and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife Carolyn, Mellige was preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Michelle Rudkin; four brothers, Leonard Harold Rudkin, Ernest Lee Rudkin, Charles Paul Rudkin and Lewis Earl Rudkin and one sister, Lavada Holland.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Oak Grove Baptist Church with Brother Mike Murray officiating.
Burial will follow in the Euchee Valley Memorial Park Cemetery.
You may share your condolences with the Rudkin family at www.davisfh.net.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
