Rudy R Aten ,72, of Galesburg died Monday, August 12th 3:03am at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Rudy was born March 8, 1947 in Avon, IL to Cline and Vivian (Nell) Aten. He was raised in Carthage, Illinois and graduated from Carthage High School in 1965. Rudy earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business as well as his MBA from Western Illinois University. He served as an insurance agent for the next 46 years.
He married Carol Ann Thompson August 15, 1970. They soon moved to Galesburg where they would build their lives together. Rudy is survived by his loving wife, his son Lance (Laurie) Aten of Galesburg and his daughter Heather (Rob) Mackowiak of New Lenox, His pride and joy were his four grandsons, Connor and Grant Aten, and Jake and Ryan Mackowiak. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jerry.
Rudy volunteered many years in Galesburg youth sports. In addition to his many coaching roles, he also founded the Jr. Streaks basketball program, and served as the president of the GHS Athletic Booster Club for several years. He enjoyed watching his own children and then grandchildren’s’ sporting events. Rudy was never shy when it came to offering his opinion on the officiating, coaching, or quality of play at these events.
Rudy loved a good joke and had a mischievous sense of humor. He loved golfing and was a long time member of Lake Bracken Country Club as well as Dew Dusters at Bunker Links. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys. In his younger years, Rudy could be found bowling, playing poker, or solving the world’s problems at Little King coffee.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory. Funeral service will be Friday, August 16 at the funeral home. Burial will be at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be directed to Galesburg Athletic Booster Club. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at wwwwatsonthomas.com.
