The soul of Eric "aka Rick, Rudy" Rudert favorably awaits Judgment Day. Rick was born to Donald and Norma Rudert of White Cloud, Michigan on September 17, 1954; and went to be in the presence of the Lord on January 17, 2022 at the age of 67. Eric was a 1972 graduate of White Cloud High School before earning his Bachelor's degree in insurance from Ferris State University in 1977. The next 5 years were spent working at Transamerica Insurance Company in Battle Creek as a personal and commercial lines underwriter. In 1982, he joined his father, Don, at the Rudert Agency in White Cloud. Insurance designations accomplished were CPCU, AAI, and AU. Most recently, he was awarded the Hildebrand Lifetime Achievement Award from the Big I Michigan, an association of Michigan Insurance Agents. He met his wife, Michelle, in 1997 and they married in 2004. They enjoyed 25 loving years together, traveling to several unique destinations. He was a dedicated and wonderful husband, father, stepfather, papa, brother, uncle and friend to all. His joy and fun-loving spirit was contagious. He was a friend to all and stranger to none. Eric was a prominent member of his community, both in business and volunteer work. He served as a board member for the Fremont Community Foundation for 14 years and was a board member for Family Health Care in Baldwin from 2003 until his passing, including two years as a Treasurer. He was also a member of Hesperia-Arcana Masonic Lodge. For several years, he was involved in local sports by keeping stats for the White Cloud football team. He was a lifelong member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of White Cloud, where he served his Lord and Savior as moderator, trustee, usher, lectern, song leader, and Sabbath school teacher. For the Seventh Day Baptist Denominational HQ in Janesville, Wisconsin, he volunteered on COSAR (Committee on Support and Retirement of Pastors) starting in 1989, then as Chairperson since 1998. He also attended New Hope Community Church in Williamsburg, Michigan, near Traverse City. Rudy loved playing basketball with his buddies (winter leagues, summer Gus Macker tournaments, etc.). He was an avid Michigan State basketball and football fan, attending hundreds of Spartan games. Of course, many also knew him as a part of Pittsburgh Steelers Nation. He loved his family, and his grandkids gave him much joy. Some favorite times were Thanksgiving dinners when he and his siblings would sing oldies and sitcom theme songs. Eric had a wonderful and fulfilling earthly life. In the fall of 2017, Eric underwent a double lung transplant after developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Because of the generous gift of organ donation, he was able to enjoy several more years with friends and family. His loved ones extend their immense gratitude to his donor, and the transplant team at Spectrum Health. Eric is survived by his wife Michelle; his mother Norma Rudert; his sons Elliot (Lindsay) Rudert and Alexander Rudert; stepchildren James M. (Dawn) Rozycki, Joseph (Amber) Rozycki, Michael Rozycki, and Jessica Sherman; grandchildren Ezra, Noah, and Emery Rudert; James M. Jr, Vanessa, Jacob, and Clayton Rozycki; Elle and Brody Rozycki and Grayson Sherman; siblings Tom (Cindy) Rudert, Sandra (Dan) Monahan, Lauren (Willy) Marinez, and Gigi (David) Hines; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and cherished friends. VISITATION : A visitation with a short prayer service will be held on Saturday, January 29th from 1:00-4:00pm at Crandell Funeral Home – White Cloud Chapel 1109 Court Street White Cloud MI 49349. The family is requesting masks be worn during the visitation. MEMORIAL SERVICES : Saturday, February 26th from 2:00-4:00pm at New Hope Community Church 5100 Bethesda Ct, Williamsburg, MI 49690. Interment will take place at White Cloud Cemetery. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS : In lieu of flowers, please consider Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society, 129 Main Street #156 Ashaway, RI 02804, online at sdbmissiona.org OR Spectrum Health Foundation for the Spectrum Health Lung Transplant Program Fund, 100 Michigan Street NE Grand Rapids MI 49503 Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Rudert family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – White Cloud Chapel 231-689-1492 To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Eric "Rick, Rudy" Rudert, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation White Cloud Chapel Saturday, January 29, 2022 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 1109 E Court Street White Cloud, Michigan 49349 Celebration Of Life New Hope Community Church Saturday, February 26, 2022 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 5100 Bethesda Court Williamsburg, MI 49690, MI 49690