Paula Rulo
Grafton |
GRAFTON – Paula Diane Rulo, 68, died at 4:43 a.m., Sunday, June 3, 2018 at Jerseyville Manor.
She was born on July 6, 1949 in Alton, one of seven children born to the late Harold and Dorothy (DeSherlia) Hodge.
Her family moved to Grafton when Paula was a young girl, where she remained ever since, raising her own family.
She married Jerry Rulo on July 22, 1972 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grafton and together they have shared in nearly 46 years of marriage.
She worked, for a short time, as a Bank Teller at Wedge Bank in Alton and later worked alongside her husband managing the Major Hotel in Grafton. As She and Jerry started their family, Paula’s focus shifted to providing a loving and caring home for her family. After raising her own family, she assisted her niece ,Kathy Ferguson, at her daycare in Grafton, a job she truly enjoyed.
When their children were younger, Jerry and Paula made a point to travel often with their family, spending time together and creating many lasting memories throughout the years. After Jerry’s retirement, the two continued to fulfill many lifelong traveling dreams with one another until her battle with Alzheimer’s disease began, at which time she was lovingly cared for by her husband and best friend, for the past five years.
Paula was an active member of the local “Red Hatters” as well as the Ladies Auxiliary of the Grafton American Legion. She enjoyed planting flowers around their home, was always ready for a good shopping trip and had a sweet tooth like no one else. Her family, most especially her children and grandchildren, were her true pride and joy and she relished in each and every moment she was able to spend with them all.
Surviving are her husband, Jerry Rulo of Grafton; four children and their spouses, Georganna and Bryan Hamilton of Benton; Dorothy Bennett of Grafton; Jeremy and Kayla Rulo of Fieldon and Katie and Steve Mellas of Jerseyville; eight grandchildren, Caitlin, Bryson, Zander, Layla, Peyton, Sophia, Molly and Samantha; two sisters and brothers in-law, Joyce and Bill Hurst and Penny and Javen Hayes, all of Jerseyville; two brothers and a sister in-law, Joseph and Theresa Hodge of Elsah and Jeff Hodge of Jerseyville; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua Ready and an infant brother and sister, Dale and Sheryl Hodge.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday at the Peace United Church of Christ in Jerseyville with Rev. Thomas Foster Jr. officiating.
Burial will take place at the Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Crawford Funeral Home
