Judy Lynn Judkins

Judy Lynn Judkins, 79, passed away peacefully at Avondale Rehab Center in Elgin, on January 19, 2023, with Vernon, her husband of 61 years, her daughter Brenda, and her dear daughter in law, Sheila by her side. Judy was born in Elgin, IL, September 29, 1943, to Arthur and Violet Schellenberger. She grew up in Elgin and attended Elgin High School, leaving to go to work at age 16. Judy would later attend ECC and proudly attain her High School GED. She met her future life-long husband Vernon “Joe” Judkins, at Lee Wards and were married on Jan 6, 1962 at the ripe old age of 19. They had 3 children; Larry, Brenda, and Kenny. Judy and Vern were proud to celebrate 61 married years together this year and they both felt it was quite an accomplishment and that time went really fast. Judy worked in Food Service at Sherman Hospital, Lee Wards, and lastly she ran her own house cleaning business for over 20 years. In 1977, Judy and Vern built their forever home in rural Burlington on 5 acres of land where they raised cows, goats, chickens and rabbits. Judy enjoyed her life on the farmette; busying herself vegetable and flower gardening, canning, cooking, baking, sewing, tending to the animals, raising her kids and decorating her country home. Judy loved traveling and camping with her family all over the USA in different tents, campers and an old RV. She had many stories to tell about their adventures. In her later years, Judy could be found with a James Patterson novel or one of her many magazines in her living room chair drinking a concoction of soda & milk, listening to an audio book, watching one of the many camping shows on YouTube, playing word games on her tablet, or challenging her family and friends to a good game of Dominoes. Judy loved her husband, children, grandchildren and her new great-grandson. She loved butterflies, cats, angels and stock car racing. She was active in Christian Woman’s Club and had many friends there. She was baptized as an adult at Twin Oaks Baptist Church, her family’s church for a great while. Judy was a Christian woman, and we know in our hearts that she is in heaven with Jesus, with her late son Larry whom she missed with all of her heart, and numerous loved ones who have gone before. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Vernon of Burlington, IL; daughter, Brenda (Steve) Haskell of Arkdale, WI; daughter-in-law, Sheila Judkins of Elgin, IL; and son, Kenny at home; brother, Arthur Schellenberger of Sycamore; grandchildren, Natalie (Zac) Cook, Brandon (Laura) Judkins, Michael (Mary) Haskell, Kaitlynn (Paul Rheingruber) Haskell; her sweet great-grandson, Emilio Judkins-Pelaez; brother and sisters-in-law, Jack and Bette Wagner, and Renee DeBack; plus many nephews, nieces, friends and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her parents; beloved son, Larry; mother and father-in-law, Lawrence and Vernette Judkins; sisters and brothers-in-law, Evie Schellenberger, Dezeri “Spud” and Marge DeRaedt, Carl DeBack, Robert Judkins and Gerry Judkins. Also, her sweet cat Ink Spot or playfully named “Poopy Kitty” by her little grandchildren. A short Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 12 PM at Fredrick Funeral Home, 284 Park St. in Hampshire. Burial will follow in Burlington Twp. Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to short services at the funeral home from 10 to 12 PM. In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of these causes close to Judy’s heart: Special Olympics, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Disabled American Veterans.

Judy Lynn Judkins

September 29, 1943 - January 19, 2023