Judy Marie Viola Badger

Judith “Judy” Marie Viola Badger, nee Bender, 77 of Millstadt, IL, passed away suddenly on Monday December 21, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. Judy was born on December 23, 1942 in Smithton Township, IL to Christian and Malinda Bender, nee Sutter and they precede her in death. Judy was also preceded in death by her dear son, Jackie Badger, Jr, her brother, Edward Theodore Bender, her sister-in-law, Patricia Bender and her nephew, Emanuel Conrad Jakobs.

Early in her life, Judy worked for the Millstadt Creamery as a bookkeeper; she was well known to local people since she sometimes served them their favorite ice cream. She then began working as a bookkeeper for Creason and Associates Accounting Services in Millstadt. She later worked for Fox CPA and eventually retired from the Ivey-Selkirk Auction Company in St. Louis, MO. Judy was a member of Zion UCC Church in Millstadt where she taught Sunday school for many years. In her spare time, she loved collecting stamps and especially loved watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, NASCAR racing and professional golf. Judy was a regular attendee of the Millstadt Senior Center and was beloved by all who spent time with her there. She very much looked forward to reading the Millstadt Senior News every month. Judy was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother and sister. She most loved spending time with her friends and family and always placed her family first in her life. Judy was a very special lady and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Barbara Penn of Millstadt, IL, her sister, Diane (Timothy) Prost of Fairview Heights, IL, her grandchildren; Ashley, nee Penn (Nicholas) Murray of Sparta, IL, Dustin Lohman also of Sparta, IL, friend Elle Heiligenstein, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and beloved friends.

Judy’s wishes were for everyone to remain safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, so her funeral services will be private. However, her services will be livestreamed on the Zion UCC Church of Millstadt website at www.zionmillstadt.com at 1:00pm on Monday December 28, 2020 and later available on the funeral home website www.hoffenfh.com, with the Reverend Darrell Weber officiating. Judy will be laid to rest at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL. The family will hold a public celebration of life for Judy at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family or to the Millstadt Senior Center.