Rudolph J. Kristoff

formerly of Jackson, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the age of 89 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth "Betty". He is survived by one daughter, Dr. Kathryn Kristoff (Michael Mitchell); four grandchildren, Elizabeth (Bradley) Stalder, Mary Catherine Mitchell, Stephen Mitchell, Patrick Mitchell; one great granddaughter, Katherine Stalder; one brother, Raymond (Alice) Kristoff; one sister-in-law, Alberta Kristoff; 39 nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by five siblings, Helena Hennings, Frank Kristoff, Andrew Kristoff, Joseph Kristoff and John Kristoff.

Rudolph was born in Beecher Township in northern Wisconsin, number six of seven children, to Andrew and Anna Kristoff, immigrants from Slovakia. He grew up on a small farm in Dunbar, Wisconsin. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He graduated from Pembine High School as Salutatorian in 1945. He worked on the railroad briefly before being drafted into the US Army. He served as a Second Lieutenant and Platoon Leader until his discharge from active service in 1947. He continued in the Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant until 1960. He enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1947 and attended college on the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1951. He took a job as a Sales Engineer with Allis Chalmers and worked for them, or one of their subsidiaries, for the next 36 years. On September 28, 1957 he married the pretty Irish girl and love of his life, Elizabeth, "Betty" Doherty, and they were married for 45 years, until Betty died in 2003. After he retired in 1987, Rudy was elected Trustee of Henrietta Township then appointed Supervisor in February 1991. He was a lifelong golfer and had 3 holes in one in his career, the last coming at age 72. He was on the Consumers Bowling League and the Commonwealth Golf League for 25 years, and finished off with the Jeritol Golf League in his retirement. Rudolph was a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association and the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight of Council 609 in the 1960's. He was a member of The Jackson County Republican Party, Jackson Right to Life and Michigan Right to Life. Rudy and Betty spent many wonderful years in the Royal Quarters social club and had many dear friends there. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist parish for over 60 years, where he served on their very first Parish Council after Vatican II. He was a Lector, then Usher there for many years and he and Betty took communion to the sick after they retired. He was a member of the St Francis De Sales Society (formerly the Fr Coyle Society) at Lumen Christi High School. He loved to hunt, golf and tell stories, of which he had many. He was an avid jokester, bringing smiles to the faces of whoever he teased, no matter if it was a waitress, caregiver, bank teller or family member. He will be missed and remembered as an intelligent, generous, hardworking and friendly man who loved God and his family.

Mr. Kristoff is at the Desnoyer Funeral Home where a Prayer Service will be held on Monday, January 23 at 9:30 AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 10:00 AM with Father James Shaver as the celebrant. Interment will take place at St. John's Catholic Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Sunday, January 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM with a Rosary Service at 6:00 PM.

The family suggests that, instead of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Lumen Christi Catholic School.

Desnoyer Funeral Home-Family owned for 127 years