Judith “Judy” Frances Journey passed away Saturday June 7, 2025.
She was born November 9, 1940, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Jack Sr. and Frances (Everman) Simpson. She married Albert “Cleve” Journey December 26, 1959.
After graduating from Pawnee, IL High, getting married, and becoming a mother of two she went on to have a career as a Loan Officer and Bookkeeper for Liberty Loan Corp, Magna Bank, Union Planters and Regions Bank, retiring in 1995.
In retirement she became an avid camper and spent many summers enjoying her home away from home in the outdoors with Cleve, family, and friends. This was her happy place!
Judy was also a devoted Christian and long-time member of the 1st Baptist Church of Bethalto. She enjoyed singing the gospel in the choir and inspired many church youth over the years in the Joy Delegation and chaperoning annual trips to Centrifuge in Tennessee.
Judy was a member of the “Red Hat” ladies society with her mother Frances and close friends Ginny, Randi, Lucy, Linda and Jan. Additionally, she was a true baseball fan, and she loved being part of Cardinal Nation and attending St. Louis Cardinal games each season with her BFF, Jean.
She is survived by two sons and their wives, Allan and Suzi Journey of Bardstown, KY, and Bruce and Cathi Journey of Meadowbrook, IL; her grandchildren, Amanda and Jeremy, (children of Allan); Kyle, Lindsay, Tiffany (children of Bruce); and Andrew (son of Cathi); great-grandchildren, Jodi, Kal, Lucas, Hunter, Tanner, Chelsea, Olivia, Evie, and Lucas.
She was preceded in death by her husband “Cleve”; her parents Jack and Frances; a brother Jackie; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Stennis.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 4 pm until time of service at 6 pm, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Pastor Ron Wood will officiate. Per her wishes Cleve’s ashes will be interned with her at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the 1st Baptist Church of Bethalto, 201 South Moreland Rd, Bethalto, IL 62010.
