Joseph R. (Rudy) Elder, age 81, of Kevil, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Mercy Health, Lourdes.
He was born on December 24, 1940, to the late Charles and Francis Helm Elder in Graves County.
Rudy Elder was retired from T.V.A. where he was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #181. He was a Vietnam Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served two tours of duty. He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Lowes, Ky.
Mr. Elder is survived by his son, Charles William Elder of Springfield, Illinois; six sisters, Ruth Higdon (Wayne), Elizabeth Jane Campbell (Dr. Ray), Margaret Cole, Helen Sullivan (Larry), Donna Pilcher (Dennis) and Debra Caldwell (Donnie); five brothers, Charles Elder (Carolyn), Michael Elder (Ruthie), Larry Elder (Sherry), Phillip Elder (Evie) and Mark Elder.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Mary Lee Burnett Elder; a granddaughter, Charla L. Elder; sister, Dorothy Kilcoyne; and brother, Gary Elder.
Funeral services for Rudy Elder will be on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home at 2:00 pm with Rev. Tim Ivy officiating and burial in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be from 12:00 pm Sunday until the funeral service at 2:00 pm.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 5321 KY-339, Lowes, KY 42061.