TAZEWELL COUNTY, Ill. – A World War II veteran from Tazewell County has passed away.
Stuart Ruch of Hopedale, died on Friday, August 28th, at the Hopedale Nursing Home.
Ruch was born in Springfield, and joined the military in 1943. Ruch served as a bombardier in the U.S. Air Force.
Ruch spoke about his time in the military during a 2024 forum at Morton High School to celebrate the living veterans of World War II.
“We flew 13 missions over Japan, and we were shot at once. But I would do it again. I would do it again,” Ruch said.
After his service in World War II, Ruch practiced podiatric medicine in Pekin for more than 40 years before retiring in 1989. He was the co-owner of Ruch Orthotic Lab in Pekin with his daughter, Corinne Smith. Ruch also established one of the first hospital-based podiatry surgery training programs in the country at the Hopedale Medical Complex.
The Tazewell County Clerk’s Office says Ruch’s passing leaves seven living Tazewell County World War II veterans.
Visitation for Ruch will take place September 8th from 9:30-10:45 A.M. at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. It will be followed by a private funeral service with burial at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. A memorial Mass will be celebrated September 10th at 9:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hopedale.
