Gerald Wayne Rutledge

Gerald Wayne Rutledge, age 71, of Highland, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Betty Sills of Highland; five children: Greg W. (Darlene) Rutledge of Smithville, MS, Diana (Martin) Wright of Valparaiso, Barb (Ted) Speroff of Hammond, Larry Sills of Dyer and Kevin (Anita) Sills of Valparaiso; eleven grandchildren: James, Amanda, John, J.D., and Jed Rutledge, Nicholas Wright, Melissa (Todd) Fulk, Tim Speroff, Natalie (Jason) Jeffers, Lela (Matt) Simmons and Taylor Sills; six great-grandchildren: Brandy West, Karac, Keegan and Kevin Fulk and Ty Ty O'Conner; brother, George Rutledge of Hammond; aunt, Sarah White of Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Rutledge was preceded in death by his wife, Tommie Sue Rutledge; and parents: George Edward and Eddis Rutledge. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:30 A.M. at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road) Highland, IN with Pastor Gene Tanner officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville, IN. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Friday, October 28, 2011 from 3:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Mr. Rutledge retired from Arcelor-Mittal Steel with 45 years of service. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of the New Horizon Singles. Mr. Rutledge was an avid fisherman and was very active in the Edison Little League in Hammond.