Eleanor "Rudy" C. Rudolph

Eleanor C. “Rudy” Rudolph, 93, of East Peoria, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born in Springfield Illinois (Deveraux Heights) on April 25, 1928 to Giuseppe and Chiara (Giombetti) Rodolfi.

She graduated from Piper Grade School 1940, Lanphier High School 1946.

“Rudy” Rudolph, originally from Springfield, was a teen-ager when she began her working career at Caterpillar in the Mids-1940’s. She joined the famous Caterpillar Dieselettes softball team in 1947.

Rudy played through the 1964 season, culminating a 19-year career as a truly outstanding catcher; and as a Springfield native, was named Springfield’s “outstanding girl athlete” of the 1947-57 decade.

Rudy was co-captain of the Lettes from 1951 through 1962. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1961 West Central Regional Tournament and was a member of the Manager’s All-American team in 1950.

All-time leader in RBI and Triples, 2nd in hits and doubles, 3rd stolen bases and at bats, 7th in home runs for the Lettes. Her top year was 1955 when she hit for .381. Her lifetime average was .285.

Rudy was also inducted as a member of the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame. She was a member of the coaching staff of Illinois Central College’s 1982 National Junior Championship team, a link with softball she still maintains.

She was named to the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame (1974); the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame (1990); the Springfield Hall of Fame (2015).

Rudy worked as a quality controller in Building RR for Caterpillar. After 30 years she retired at the age of 48.

Rudy had a huge heart for people and animals. She was a lover of life; she was able to spend the last 40 years of her life living along the Illinois River enjoying the majestic sunsets.

She is survived by 16 nieces and nephews: The daughter of Gene Damiani: Susan. The children of Frieda Silveri; Diane, Joe and Ray. The children of Olga Handley: Marie, Judy, Bonnie, Barbara, Ed, Linda, Clint, Kathy. The children of Jessie Schneider: Terry, Jim, Pat and Kim.

She is survived by her good friend Nora Hile, Beverly Brown and her Lettes team mates.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Mary Damiani, Frieda Silveri, Olga Handley, Rita Peterson, Jessie Schneider. Brothers: Gene Damiani, Joe Rodolfi. Nieces: Donna, Karen, Carolyn Peterson. Nephews: Gary Silveri, Mark Handley.

Rudy’s funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Deacon Tammy Breitbarth will officiate. Her visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. also on Saturday at the funeral chapel. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Springfield on Monday, January 31, 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Illinois Central College Educational Foundation – Women’s Softball: Eleanor (Rudy) Rudolph Scholarship Fund. One College Drive, East Peoria, Illinois 61635.

Online condolences may be made to Rudy’s family at www.davison-fulton.com.