Kenneth John Lude, 79, of Columbia City, died at 12:07 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City.

Born on July 30, 1943, in Bluffton, he was a son of the late John George Lude and Nina Maxine (Wolf) Lude. Joining the U.S. Navy, he served aboard a ship off the coast of Vietnam.

He married Susanna M. Rogers on Dec. 17, 1966.

Survivors include his wife, Susanna; children, Kerry D. (Brenda) Lude of Cincinnati, Karen (Mark) Davison of Columbia City, Kirk E. (Marilyn) Lude of Columbia City, and Kristin E. (Jesse) Pennington of Fort Wayne; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, William (Kathy) Lude of Columbia City and a sister, Melanie Lambert of New Paris, Ohio.

Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. is in charge of arrangements.