Jackie L. Rutledge Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Funeral Services for Jack Rutledge, age 79 of Humboldt NE, formally of Clearwater will be 10:30 am Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at United Methodist Church in Clearwater. Burial will be in the Clearwater Cemetery in Clearwater. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 267 of Clearwater. Visitation will be from 4 - 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 8, 2007 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater. Snider Memorial Funeral Home of Clearwater is handling the arrangements. Jack passed away October 5, 2007 at Columbus, Nebraska. Jack Rutledge was born June 21, 1928 in Clearwater, the son of Lawrence and Malinda Lou Wolfe. He graduated from Clearwater High School. He attended Midland College in Fremont and Nebraska Barber College in Omaha. He apprenticed as linotype operator at Neligh News and Leader and Plainview News. On September 3, 1950 he was united into marriage to Neva Black in Neligh, Nebraska. His first tour of duty was at the end of WWII and he was later discharged to the reserves. In late summer of 1950 he was called to active duty to Korea. On February 13, 1951 he was listed as MIA. He was a POW of the North Koreans and attempted an escape from the prison camp a total of 5 times. Unable to cross the river he was recaptured by the North Koreans. On the fifth attempt, he was captured by the Chinese and taken across the river. He later escaped successfully from the Chinese, but was shot in the attempt and hid in caves for several weeks. He was found and taken to Japan where he was put in a hospital to recover. Jack's "POW Story" is displayed at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, NE. On July 21, 1951 Jack returned to Clearwater upon his discharge from the hospital. He and his family moved to Quincy, CA in 1956 where he worked as a linotype operator at Feather River Bulletin Paper until 1960 at which time they moved back to Clearwater. After owning the Clearwater Barber Shop until 1963, Jack went to work for the US Postal Service in the Clearwater and Elgin area. He retired from Postal service in 1988. In 1998, Jack and Neva moved to Cameron, MO. Neva passed away June 30, 2000. In 2004 he moved to Humboldt, NE to live with his son Timothy and family. Jack was a member of the American Legion Post #267 of Clearwater, VFW, and a member of the United Methodist Church of Clearwater. He loved to fish, camp, and later years he liked to sleep with Laddie (his dog) beside him. He is survived by his children Johnnye Dennis and husband Murray of Liberty, MO; Thomas Rutledge and wife Susan of Linn Creek, MO; Timothy Rutledge and wife Mardell of Humboldt, NE. Nine Grandchildren and nine Great-grandchildren. Stepmother Mildred "Tootie" Rutledge; a brother Dan Rutledge and Sister Bonnie Blunt and husband Larry all of Chadron, NE. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one brother Richard.

Jackie L. Rutledge

June 21, 1928 - October 5, 2007