Judith "Judy" Kay Henry
61, Rural Robinson, Illinois

Visitation: 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Monday March 1, 2010 ~ Highland Church Of Christ, Robinson, Illinois

Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Tuesday March 2, 2010 ~ Highland Church Of Christ, Robinson, Illinois

Memorials: Oblong Children'S Christian Home ~ Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home, Church or may be mailed to the Funeral Home.

 

Judith "Judy" Kay Henry went home to see her heavenly Father on February 24, 2010 at the age of 61. Born December 14, 1948, Judy grew up in Hardinville with her parents, Lloyd and Margie Stagner and her sisters, Kathy (Jack) Chamblin and Patsy Ireland. When she was in her sophmore year of high school, she met Michael Henry of Oblong and they have been together ever since, married over 42 years. She adored their children, Michael Todd Henry and Kristi Michele Schaffner.

When Mike & Judy retired, they purchased and moved back to the homestead built by her father and grandfather near Hardinville, IL. She put great love into fixing up the house, landscaping, reconnecting with former classmates, and developing friendships with her "new" neighbors. Judy has always been a woman of tremendous hospitality and generosity.

Throughout her years, Judy always felt called to give a large part of her time and heart to children. An in-home daycare was followed by years of local church volunteering, co-chairing Vacation Bible School, leading Bible Bowl teams, and founding the Mary Marthas ministry for moms and other busy ladies. Her commitment to God's kids went global in 1978 when she and Mike sold everything they had, and in faith moved their young family of four to be houseparents for orphan boys in the Third World conditions of Honduras, Central America. After returning to the States, the impact of her local youth work continued to grow from where it left off. Judy was the very first (office manager) and the last (Director) staff member for the former Christian Home for Youth in Danville, IL, which gave a second chance to a diverse population of boys with intense behavioral, family and/or court issues. She and Mike were foster parents who protected and loved several wonderful children under their roof. When God opened her eyes to the hurt, needs, and potential of the teenagers in her hometown (Rossville, IL), Judy boldly invited every church and many community members to come together and build what became THE FREEWAY, a teen center which is still thriving today. Most recently, her passion to love students spilled over to the place of her own childhood, as an inspirational and faithful fundraiser member/Board President of the Oblong Children's Christian Home. And, as her friends in the Martin Township Community Club will surely confirm, Judy's love for others extended into her kitchen, and the constant flow of iced sugar cookies and homemade pies.

Judy found incredible joy in her grandchildren: Noah Klay and Haven Grace Henry; USN Waylon (and wife, Sarah), Ricky Lee, Caden Michael and Brody Olen Schaffner. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, nephews and niece, mother-in-law and brothers-in-law, and extended family and friends.

Most of all, Judy will be remembered for her love for her God and 'her Mike', her persistant prayer life, her sacrificial love for her family, and her compassion for any hurting person who crossed her path.