The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, September 4, 1996          TAG: 9609040390
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   24 lines

MELBA A. RUDE

Melba A. Rude, 71, of 4500 Krick St., Norfolk, passed away Aug. 30, 1996 at the home of her sister, Helen Pflug, in Connersville, Ind. She had been in failing health for the past six months.

She was born Feb. 26, 1925, in Connersville, the daughter of John and Martha Frost Dawson, both of whom precede her in death. She had resided in Connersville most of her life, moving to Norfolk in 1979. She was married in Norfolk to Gene T. Rude in 1980. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include a daughter, Daphne Joy Dalton of Richmond; a son, Christopher Sturgeon of Connersville; two brothers, Lawrence Dawson of Connersville and John Dawson, Jr. of Redding, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Chester (Helen) Pflug of Connersville; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Donald R. (Joe) Dawson.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family with burial in Dale Cemetery. Urban-Winkler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB