He was born on March 12, 1940, in Dearborn, Michigan, to the late Walter J. and Genevieve Dudek.
Wally graduated from Cody High School in Detroit, Michigan. In 1957, Wally joined the United States Army and served his country honorably in the 9th Infantry Division. He was a proud veteran and was involved with the Am Vets in Michigan, Vets for Vets in Indianapolis, and the Vietnam Vets #777 in Richmond, Indiana. Wally was also a MIA-POW Representative for many years. Later in life, Wally attended a JVS for A&P Mechanics and also worked for several airlines at the airport. Wally had many hobbies; riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, woodworking, and fishing just to name a few. He loved supporting the archery team at Tri-Village and supported Hooked on Fishing in Darke County. Wally was a family man. He loved spending time with his entire family and supporting them in their endeavors. He loved cheering on his grandchildren in all their activities. Wally attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in New Paris, Ohio, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Wally is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marlene (Schramm) Dudek, who he married on January 5, 1963; his children, Kim Villasenor of New Madison, Angie Crisp of Hollansburg, Ohio, Ed Dudek and his wife, Karen, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and Tammy Ketring and her husband, Jon, of New Madison; his grandchildren, Jennifer Morgan and her husband, Nate, of Richmond, Indiana, Sharon Gaynor and her husband, Bob, of Union City, Ohio, Andrea Villasenor of New Madison, Jerry Crisp of Miami, Florida, Jason, Katie, and Jonathon Dudek, all of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and Harley and Wyatt Ketring of New Madison; his great grandchildren, Jensen and Caid Morgan and Chasity and Cohen Gaynor; his brother, John Dudek and his wife, Angela, of White Lake Michigan; his sisters, Maryanne Bagley of Bloomfield, Michigan, and Sister Antoinette Dudek of Sylvania, Ohio; his sister-in-law, Denise Chudzinski and her husband Denver, of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Wally’s life will take place in the spring of 2020 at the Veterans Memorial Park in Richmond, Indiana.
Guests may visit with Wally’s family on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at Tribute Funeral Homes, New Madison Campus, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given, in memory of Wally, to the Veterans Memorial Park or the donors choice.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.