Rudolph Rudy V. Kunza

Mr. Rudolph “Rudy” V. Kunza, 90, of Troy, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Barnes/Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born on June 21, 1921, near Millwood, Mo., to William and Anna (Hurtak) Kunza.

Rudy served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1946.

On April 23, 1949, he was united in marriage to Clara “Marie” Kientzy at St. Alphonsus Church in Millwood. Rudy and Marie moved to their farm near Troy shortly after they were married. They made a good life there farming and raising their family together. They were members of the Sacred Heart Church in Troy.

Surviving are his beloved wife of over 62 years, Clara Marie Kunza; 11 children, Janet and husband, Ron, Schieffer of Troy, Carolyn and husband, Bryson McHardy, of Hannibal, JoAnn Kunza and fiance, Harold Schulte, of Columbia, Evelyn and husband, Coy Cummins, of Troy, Donna and husband, Mike Walton, of Troy, Mary “Susie” and husband, Bob Callison, of Florissant, Phyllis Lewis and husband, Jim Murphy, of Rolla, Jeanne and husband, Doug Hart, of Hood River, Ore., Patty and husband, Richard Pikey, of O’Fallon, James “Jim” and wife, Genedine Kunza of Carlisle, Pa., and Chris Kunza-Mennemeyer of Troy.

Further surviving are his brother Joe and wife, Lorraine Kunza; and sisters, Josephine and the late Frank Nelson, and Ann and the late Eugene Lively; 31 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Catherine Kunza and Geneva Bowles; brother-in-law Dick and wife, Viola Kientzy; nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine Roach; and five brothers, Albert, John, Tom, Billy and Mike Kunza.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Troy with Father Tom Wissler to officiate.

Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Don Schieffer, Alex McHardy, Bill McHardy, Rick Kunza, Dan Kunza, Robert Callison, Jesse Callison, Adam Walton, Brad Pikey and Robert Pikey.

Interment will follow at the St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Millwood.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral & Cremation Center, 1304 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379 (636) 528-8244.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Building Fund or to Lincoln County Council on Aging (LCCOA), in care of the funeral home.

Family and friends are invited to sign the on-line guest registry at: www.mccoyblossomfh.com.