Judith Sharlene Blue

Judith Sharlene (Hunter) Blue, formerly of Kosciusko County, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 82.  

Judy was born on February 23, 1935, in Kosciusko County, Indiana. The third of Walter and Willodene Hunter’s four children, Judy grew up and helped tend the family’s farm on Armstrong Road near Oswego, which raised corn, beans, livestock and, for a time, maintained a dairy operation. Devout Baptists and musically inclined, the whole family formed a popular troupe that performed hymns and sacred arrangements in churches throughout the region. Judy sang and played the flute. This latter talent she would also ply as a member of the North Webster High School Trojan marching band. She graduated North Webster near the top of her class.

In 1952, Judy married her childhood sweetheart, Edwin Gene Blue. It was the start of a love story that would span 70 years, and together, they welcomed four children – Tim, Susan, Teresa and Scott – who she mothered full time to adulthood. 

In addition to parenting, Judy was a consistent collaborator with Ed as he pursued higher education and an academic career. During his time of service at Asbury College (Wilmore, Kentucky) and Greenville College (Greenville, Illinois), she welcomed countless students, parents, faculty members and others into their home. Often, it would mean connection for life as she faithfully corresponded with them around holidays and at major life events and further crocheted or knitted hundreds of afghan blankets and baby clothes for weddings and births. She became a beloved figure known for her hospitality, prayers, warmth, compassion, empathy and encouragement. 

In her later years, Judy relished time together with Ed. She took great joy in the lives of her grandchildren, giving care, lending support and being quick and lavish with gifts and affection. She continued to play the flute, host family gatherings and, along the way, became a formidable miniature golfer who loved Starbucks Caramel Lattes.

Diagnosed with stage four cancer in early October of this year, Judy died in hospice care at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with her family surrounding her.  She is survived by Ed, her four children and her six grandchildren – Courtney and David Blue; Lindsey, Ashley and David Holden; and Sevi Gleeson Blue.

On Monday, November 20, 2017 a funeral service will be held at the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church located at 902 College Avenue in Winona Lake, Indiana. Family visitation is set for 12:30 p.m. and the service will begin at 1:30 p.m.   Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oswego Cemetery, Oswego, Indiana.  

 The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Barnes-Jewish Christian Hospice (visit http://bjchospice.org to donate online).

 Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana. 

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