Rudolph "Rudy" Bellon, aged 94, a resident of Des Plaines, Illinois since 1960 passed away November 18, 2024. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Clare, to whom he was married for 68 years. Loving father of Jill (Mike) Gorgas, Gail Bellon, Rudy (Eileen) Bellon, and Cheryl (Steve Blondell) Burke. Proud grandfather of Jennifer (Chuck) Fiedler, Jay (Michelle Bittick) Barry, Jackie (Bryan Vespo) Kenyon, Kristofer Ainsworth, William Burke, Sean Herman, Melisa Gelmini, Mark (Stephanie) Gelmini and the late Alan Gelmini. Great Grandfather to Ashley (Andrew) Heckman, Brittney (Josh Williams) Graser, Kristen (John Biser) Fiedler, Alyssa Fiedler, Charlie (Kiersten) Fiedler, Cianna Vespo, Payton Chmura, Ethan Petoscia, Gemma Gelmini, and Stella Gelmini. Buppa, as he was known to all, also had 6 great-great grandchildren, Liliana Fiedler, Lorelai Fiedler, Lydia Fiedler, Carter Salazar, Logan Heckman, and Madison Heckman. Rudy was born January 8, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Rudolph and the late Margaret (nee Scherdin) Bellon. He was also the dear brother of Carol (the late Henry) Dautel and the late Myrtle (Jerry) Nowak.

As a young man, Rudy enjoyed working at Riverview Park on the shoots, which was a downhill water slide ride. He had a little Cushman motor scooter that he drove all around his neighborhood. He graduated Washburn Trade School and then joined the Army, where he was promoted to Corporal and military police (MP). After the military, Rudy married Clare in 1954 and became a union machinist starting his career at Drewry's Beer and ending at the Chicago Tribune, where he had worked for 18 years. He could fix anything - cars, plumbing, roofs, welding, and construction. Since he was a boy, he loved being outdoors and loved fishing. His father had a resort in upper Minnesota where Rudy vacationed as often as possible - fishing every morning and evening. Fishing was his favorite past-time but he also golfed and played on many bowling leagues. Rudy enjoyed sports - watching the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Black Hawks and golf. His playful manner continued into his elder years as he loved to wear t-shirts with cartoon characters including Snoopy and Mickey Mouse. He was fond of watching game shows with Jeopardy being one of his favorites. He also watched old classic TV shows like Walker Texas Ranger, Columbo, and Matlock, much to the chagrin of anybody sharing his space. Rudy leaves behind his bereaved family who will miss him dearly.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm with a funeral service at 2:00pm at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For more information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com.