Judith A. Wilhelm

Born February 16, 1939, in Effingham, Illinois, a daughter of Lloyd and Madonna (Zacha) Sipes, Judy was raised in Effingham and graduated from Effingham High School with the Class of 1956. She enrolled at Southern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor“Ćs Degree in History and English in 1960. While at the university, she met her future husband, Verne Wilhelm, and in 1961 the couple was married. As a wife and mother, Judy balanced her busy family life with a teaching career that spanned many years. Her teaching assignments included Mount Prospect, Illinois, Madison, Wisconsin, and Hinsdale, Macomb, Homewood, and Matteson, Illinois. Throughout her 35 plus year teaching career, she positively influenced many young minds. She was also loved and respected by colleagues and friends alike. She retired in 2001 and the couple relocated to Chocolay Township. During the years she was raising her family and teaching, she became known as the “Äúcarpool queen“Äù, driving the kids to various swimming and educational events. And, when it came to driving around, she never met a shopping mall she didn”Ćt like.

Judy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Verne; her daughter, Jill (Wilhelm) Davidson of League City, TX and son, Eric (Anna) Wilhelm of Scottsdale, AZ, as well as her brother, James (Sheila) Sipes of Effingham, IL; and her grandchildren, Dylan, Colin, Kendall, Tyler, and Christopher. Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jane Scott.

Private family services will be held.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Mill Creek Memory Care and UP Home Health and Hospice for the loving care they provided for Judy and her family.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com