Judith “Judy” Sue Church
Judith “Judy” Sue Church, 79, of Tower, died unexpectedly Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. The daughter of Beatron F. and A. Ruth (Covey) Doolittle, Judy was born in Ocqueoc June 14, 1942.
She was the salutatorian of the Onaway High School class of 1959 and went on to get her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lake Superior State University. She married James Duane Church January 25, 1963 at the Onaway United Methodist Church.
Judy retired from the federal government where she worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command in Warren. As an equipment specialist and technical writer, Judy’s job was to know everything about the equipment and write the “owners manual.” Being very patriotic and having a great love of country, Judy was very proud of her job and enjoyed her work.
She retired in 2003 and returned to her hometown of Onaway where her family roots ran deep. Judy was a longtime member of the Onaway United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Church Women United. She enjoyed singing in the Community Christmas Choir during the holiday season and served as Forest Township clerk.
Judy was a good cook who was skilled in making something delicious out of “not much.” She passed this special skill on to her daughters who all became wonderful cooks also. She made the best scalloped potatoes and everyone loved her chocolate cake with homemade peanut butter frosting.
Judy’s greatest passions were her family, her books and the Detroit Tigers. She was an avid reader who never went anywhere without having a book in her purse so she could always get a few more pages in. Then there was the Detroit Tigers. Judy may have been their biggest fan. During the Major League Baseball season, Judy’s life revolved around when the Tigers were playing. She scheduled appointments so she wouldn’t miss games and often had to leave engagements early to make it home to watch her Tigers! Judy’s greatest passion was her family. She was a devoted wife, a nurturing mother and a good sister. She enjoyed very close relationships with her daughters who loved to dote on their mom.
Judy enjoyed traveling with her friends with memorable trips by train and to Alaska. She dearly loved her lifelong pals, Hazel Olmsted, Carla Skuse and the late Pat Johnston.
Judy also adored her two cats and missed them terribly when she was away for a few days visiting family. Judy wanted to be remembered as a peacemaker who loved her Savior and King, Jesus Christ, and as a fighter that persevered in the face of adversity.
She will be sadly missed by her five daughters, Ruth (Tom) Stitt of Onaway, Sue (Craig) Stevens of Davison, Lisa (Michael) Crawford of Attica, Jennifer Jo (Patrick) Yacheson of Dryden and Amy (Donald) Crawford of Onaway
Visitation was held at Chagnon Funeral Home Wednesday, May 18. Judy’s funeral will be from the Onaway United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. today (Thursday, May 19). The Rev. Corin McDonald will officiate. Judy’s final resting place will be at Waverly Township Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Judy to United Methodist Women.
