Fremont A. "Jr." Rudsell, 70, of Reynolds, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2018 with his loving family at his side.  Services for Jr. will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 801 W. Edgington St., Reynolds.  Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors by the Reynolds American Legion Post #1166 will be in Reynolds Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the family.

Jr. was born on October 21, 1947 in Moline, a son of Fremont, Sr. and Mary (Carter) Rudsell.  Jr. served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era stationed in Germany. On October 1, 1971, he married Candice "Candy" Tillman, the love of his life. On that day he also was blessed by becoming a father to Candy's children, Eric and Beth.  He later retired from Raymond - Muscatine, Inc., where he was an assembler for many years.  He was a retired member of the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department and a past member of the Jaycees. He was the best Santa ever, delighting children for many years as he entered their homes with gifts from the North Pole.

Jr. had many loves – Candy was at the top of his list.  That was so apparent in the last days of his life – when Candy would talk to him, his smile would light up the room. His children were so important to him. Jr. loved it when they would ask his advice. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. If you asked him, Jr. would tell you that his grandchildren were perfect, just like he was. He loved coaching and attending their sporting events.  In Jr.'s younger years, he was an accomplished horseman. He also cherished camping at Loud Thunder and preparing wonderful meals for family and friends. No one cooked like Jr. Farming with his son Chris was a great joy. Teaching his younger granddaughters about the farm was important to him.

Left to cherish Jr.'s memory are his wife, Candy; children, Christopher (Kelly) Rudsell, Milan; Eric (Sommer) Lawrence, Andalusia and Elizabeth (Stan) Boney, Reynolds;  grandchildren, Celina, Hunter, Samantha, Isabella, Cammie, Makenna and Alexis; siblings, John (Judy) Rudsell, Rock Island,  Richard (Karen) Rudsell, Fletcher, OH, Larry (Marla) Rudsell, Aledo, Maxine (Jesse) Patterson, Lake City, MN, Sonja (Ralph) Brown, Sherrard, Billie Terrill, Milan, Nancy (Steve) Allnutt, Albany, OR, Annie Rudsell, Aledo, Rudy (Linda) Rudsell, Illinois City and Rusty (Shelly) Rudsell, Davis Junction.  Also surviving are many other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald and multiple aunts and uncles.

Jr. was everybody's friend, Papa and Santa. Now he is their angel in Heaven.