Judith K. Schieffer

Judith Kay Schieffer

It is with great sadness that the family of Judy announce her passing on Friday, April 28.  She fought a good fight but her body was just too tired and she passed in her sleep.

Judy was born on April 14, 1943 to Robert and Donna (Sharp) Katz in Battle Creek, Michigan.  She had just celebrated her 80^th birthday.  She is survived by her son, Todd (Julie) Edgerton, brother, Robert M. (Paula) Katz, sister, Cindi (Michael) Talbot, Step-Mother, Harriet Katz, grandson, Michael and great grandson, Odin, niece, Brandi (Mike) Ruby, great nephews, Michael, Hank and Trey, great niece, Kelsey (Crystal) Evans, great, great niece Aria, nieces, Michele (Tim) VanAmeyden, Kara Reniger and great nephew, Alex.  Judy was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a niece, Tracy Evans.

Judy graduated from Lakeview High School in 1961 and attended Kellogg Community College.  It is unfortunate that sports were not offered to girls during her school years because Judy was an excellent athlete.  She enjoyed golf and participated in many leagues.  She won a league bowling championship with her sister and was a member of the Battle Creek Y Center 4.5 tennis team vying for a state championship.

In 1996, Judy met a kind and respected farmer in Dowling, MI named Vern Schieffer and they were married on October 10, 1997.  Unfortunately and all too soon, Vern passed on May 10, 2018.

She was never content to stay employed for long at one job and over the course of her employment life her job interests varied.  She worked for Jacobson's Department store in Battle Creek, was a sales representative for a local radio station, raised and sold cockatiels and owned and operated Blair's Pet and Garden in Hastings. At one point she thought that she might like to try a turn at driving a semi – she didn't, but she could have.

One of the careers she was most proud of, as was her family, was being the first female sales representative for the Kellogg Company.  She worked at the company in the Purchasing Department and decided to interview with the head of the Sales Department for a sales representative position.

She was assigned a territory in the Detroit Division and ended up winning the coveted prize of a gold jacket for having the most sales over other sales representatives.  Of course, the humor was not lost on Judy, as the jacket was made for a man.

After a varied career, Judy was content to be on the farm with Vern, the cattle, her cats and the quiet and solitude of farm life.  She loved animals and her favorite pets were Feisty, the Maltese dog and Muffin her cat and numerous barn cats that always found a welcoming dish of food.

She loved playing cards with family and sessions of card playing would last for many hours. She also loved a trip to Firekeepers or Four Winds where she played her favorite game of Baccarat or enjoyed beating the guys at Texas Hold'em in the poker room.

She had a big heart and a generous spirit as her family and many friends can attest.  She will be deeply missed by her treasured friendships sustained over many, many years and the Saturdays they would meet for lunch.

Judy had a strong sense of what was right and wrong and she had a very secure belief in her Lord and Savior and His will for her life.

We would like to thank the angels of Northpointe Woods Assisted Living that provided Judy with constant, loving attention.  Also, a thank you to Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice) professionals that supplied daily compassionate care.

With Judy's wishes, cremation has taken place.  A Memorial/Celebration of her life will take place Friday, June 16 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation, Battle Creek, MI.  Family will greet visitors from 1:00 to 1:30 pm with service to follow.  Sister Constance Fifelski officiating.

Donations can be made to Barry County Humane Society, 231 Broadway Street Hastings, MI 49059, Our Lady of the Great Oak, 1113 Floria Road, Delton, MI 49046 or the organization of ones choice.

Messages and memories of Judy can be sent to www.farleyestesdowdle.com.