RUDOLPH A. HORVATH

SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Rudolph (Rudy) A. Horvath, 87, of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away Friday evening, September 19, 2014, peacefully in the company of his family at Hope Hospice at Shell Point. He was born October 3, 1926, in South Bend, Indiana to Alexander and Agnes (Koloszar) Horvath.

Proudly serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Rudy was stationed in Japan and the Philippines. After returning to the States, he joined the South Bend Police Department where he retired as a Detective Sergeant with 21 years of active service. In 1970, he moved his family to Fort Myers, Florida where he was employed with the Lee County School District. In the educational field, he served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and community school coordinator. Rudy retired after 22 years of continuous service.

Rudy earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University in 1969 and a Master of Education from Florida Atlantic University in 1972.

Rudy was preceded in death by his first wife, June (Mayhew) Horvath (1980); his parents, Alex and Agnes Horvath; his son, Gregory; his sisters, Helen Gish and Mary Stygar; brothers, Alexander (Kelly) and Louis.

Rudy is survived by his spouse, Marilyn Gerstner-Horvath of Fort Myers; his son, Gary (Byra Warner) of Mishawaka, Indiana; his daughter-in-law, Veronica of Deltona; his grandchildren, Bryan (Jessica) of DeBary, Jared of Mishawaka, Indiana, Aaron (fiance' Lauren Stall) of Mishawaka, Indiana, and great-granddaughter, Ryley of DeBary. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Ann Horvath, Joyce Horvath, Shirley Hazel, and many nieces and nephews including Maureen Drew (Bill).

Rudy was an excellent role model, husband, and father, and his first loves were his faith and family. He was an avid golfer (hacker), loved nature, the beach, traveling, fishing, and exploring the Gulf and inter-coastal waters and rivers of Lee County. Rudy was a selfless person; he helped others such as volunteering for 15 years for Lee County's Juvenile Arbitration and serving as Eucharistic Minister for his parishes.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 12171 Iona Rd., Fort Myers at 11:00 am on September 26. The family will be greeting friends and relatives one hour before the service. Interment of cremains will follow at St. Columbkille Memorial Garden. A reception will be held after interment at St. Columbkille parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations made to Hope Hospice at Shell Point, 15105 Shell Point Blvd, Fort Myers, Florida. Info 239-481-4341.

Published by The News-Press on Sep. 25, 2014.

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