Judith K. Cole, 74, of Brownstown died unexpectedly after a recent illness at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26, 2015 at her home.
Funeral Services will be held from 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Gieseking-Claggett Funeral Home, Brownstown with Rev. Bruce Sasse officiating. As per Judy’s wishes casual attire is requested. Burial will follow at Liberty Cemetery, rural Brownstown. Visitation will be for two hours prior to service time. Memorials are requested to be made to Friends and Families of Fayette County Hospital or Second Chance Animal Rescue of Fayette County both of Vandalia.
Judith K. Stewart was born on Wednesday, October 23, 1940 in rural Brownstown to Roy and Burnetta (Fink) Stewart. She graduated from the Brownstown Community High School and following graduation obtained a business degree. She married William Cole on June 20, 1964 in Brownstown.
Judy had worked as a bookkeeper at the Fayette County Hospital before dedicating her life to working alongside Bill on the family farm. She never hesitated to do whatever needed to be done, whether it was feeding the hogs, repairing a tractor, running the combine, or making wreathes on the Christmas tree farm. She enjoyed watching her daughters play sports and later in life hearing the antics of her grandchildren. Judy enjoyed participating in sports and played softball until she was 60. After she was no longer able to participate herself, she thoroughly enjoyed watching any and all sports.
Judy began working at Redhawk Propane in December of 2014. She quickly stole the hearts of her co-workers and the customers. She always had a smile on her face and a willing heart. Not only did the people around her enjoy her company and her funny sense of humor, but both the of the office dogs loved her dearly.
Judy was a woman of great strength. She was a very friendly, loving, and hard-working person. Her yard and farmstead was always mowed and neatly maintained.
Judy is survived by her former husband, William Cole of Fairview Heights; daughters, Susan Cole of Vandalia and Amy Holtrop and her husband Jeremy of Belleville; her three grandchildren, Isabella, Gabriella, and Cole Holtrop all of Belleville; brother, Alan Stewart of Macomb and her Redhawk Family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bill, Frank, and David.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.com