Rudolf Weiss, 97, of Rockton, IL passed away at 8:55 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Highview in the Woodlands. Rudy was born in Erlengrund, Poland; then a colony of Germany in 1920. He was one of 14 children, seven of whom survived into adulthood. At 12 years of age he was confirmed into the Lutheran faith. In February of 1949 Rudy and his wife Erika immigrated to Canada where they lived for 9 years. Ten years later, in October of 1959, Rudy and Erika and their two daughters came to the United States to be near his sister Hulda Brunsch and her family. In the United States Rudy and his family lived in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan; East Lansing, Michigan; Port Richey, Florida and in 2013 moved to Rockton Illinois to be closer to their daughter and her husband. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Adolf (Emma Schielke) Weiss, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by Erika, his wife of 67 years, two daughters Carin (Charlie) Richter of Rockton, Illinois and Ingrid Weiss of Austin, Texas, Step granddaughter, Shelli Martin Harris (Keith) of Brandywine, Maryland, Step great grandson Brendan and Step great, great grandson Kaine. He also has many loving grand nieces and nephews. Rudy worked as a master baker in numerous bakeries in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; St. Joseph, Michigan and East Lansing, Michigan. He owned his own bakery for three years in St. Joseph, Michigan. His greatest joy was baking breads, pastries and working with a bride or hostess to create a confection for their special occasion. Rudy was also a builder. He built his first home in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and an additional three in St. Joseph, Michigan. He also flipped five homes before flipping homes became popular. He could wield a hammer and drive home a nail along with the best of them. The family moved frequently, with every new residence. But Rudy was certain of his priorities. With every new neighborhood, he would first scout out the neighborhood Lutheran church. This was the foundation on which he built his family. He constructed many homes for his family: solid roofs over their heads. But, the underpinning of every home was always his steadfast faith in God and his relationship with a home church. As he grew older, Rudy no longer built homes for families but began his hobby of building homes for the backyard birds. Here too, he was quite the craftsman. We have birdie condos, birdie apartments and birdie single dwellings all over our yards. Additionally, he loved to garden. Every home had a garden for roses, a garden for vegetables and a garden for shade. There was nothing that did not grow for him, from seedlings, to families, to friends, and to relationships with neighbors and acquaintances throughout his life. He was truly a gentleman and a gentle man. Memorial ceremonies will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 17, 2017 in Old Stone Church, 101 E Union St, Rockton, IL with the Pastor Dan Herman officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. to time of ceremony Friday. McCorkle Funeral Home – Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd, Rockton, IL assisted the family.