Judy A. Ridinger
October 3, 1942 (Charleston, West Virginia) - November 6, 2021 (Springfield, Illinois)
Parents: Charles and Della Akers
Children: Jeffrey (Karen) Ridinger, Michael (Dana) Ridinger, and Cathy (Dan) McLagan College Attended: B.A. Education from Morris Harvey College; M.S. in Nursing from University of Illinois Chicago Occupation: Social Worker, faculty at Mennonite College of Nursing and Millikin University, Nursing Educator |
Judy A. Ridinger, 79, of Springfield, passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at home with her family.
Judy was born on October 3, 1942, in Charleston, WV the daughter of the late Charles and Della Akers. She moved to Springfield in 1971 and it was her home for 50 years.
Judy graduated from Morris Harvey College in 1964, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She worked briefly as a social worker before starting her family. Judy became a nurse in 1982 and joined Memorial Medical Center as a staff nurse. She spent five years in that role and then spent the remainder of her career as a nurse educator. Judy would go on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International. She was adjunct faculty at the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University, and the School of Nursing at Millikin University.
Judy was a lifelong, and finally vindicated, Chicago Cub fan. Family and friends, new and old, could count on receiving birthday cards, and her wrapped gifts were a thing of beauty. She was an avid walker and was committed to getting her steps each day. Judy's lemon bundt cake and pumpkin bread were highly anticipated additions to birthdays and Christmas.
Judy was an Elder and active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2007, she created the Parish Nursing program at the Church. She retired from her role as Parish Nurse in 2018. Judy was most proud of creating this program and the work she did visiting and talking with congregants and helping them. Judy's faith was strong, and she spent her final days with family and friends, calm in the knowledge she was going to her true home with the Lord.
Judy is survived by her three children, Jeffrey (Karen) Ridinger, Michael (Dana) Ridinger, and Cathy (Dan) McLagan; five grandchildren, Marty Parrill, Sage McCracken, Justin Ridinger, Lillian Ridinger, and Margaret McLagan; three great grandchildren, Emmett, Elliott, and Everett Schopp; two brothers, Charles (Cleta) Akers, II, and Michael (Janny) Akers; sister, Mary (Craig) Brookover; former spouse, Thornton Ridinger; several nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.
Memorial Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. A reception will follow the ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.
Judy was born on October 3, 1942, in Charleston, WV the daughter of the late Charles and Della Akers. She moved to Springfield in 1971 and it was her home for 50 years.
Judy graduated from Morris Harvey College in 1964, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She worked briefly as a social worker before starting her family. Judy became a nurse in 1982 and joined Memorial Medical Center as a staff nurse. She spent five years in that role and then spent the remainder of her career as a nurse educator. Judy would go on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International. She was adjunct faculty at the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University, and the School of Nursing at Millikin University.
Judy was a lifelong, and finally vindicated, Chicago Cub fan. Family and friends, new and old, could count on receiving birthday cards, and her wrapped gifts were a thing of beauty. She was an avid walker and was committed to getting her steps each day. Judy's lemon bundt cake and pumpkin bread were highly anticipated additions to birthdays and Christmas.
Judy was an Elder and active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2007, she created the Parish Nursing program at the Church. She retired from her role as Parish Nurse in 2018. Judy was most proud of creating this program and the work she did visiting and talking with congregants and helping them. Judy's faith was strong, and she spent her final days with family and friends, calm in the knowledge she was going to her true home with the Lord.
Judy is survived by her three children, Jeffrey (Karen) Ridinger, Michael (Dana) Ridinger, and Cathy (Dan) McLagan; five grandchildren, Marty Parrill, Sage McCracken, Justin Ridinger, Lillian Ridinger, and Margaret McLagan; three great grandchildren, Emmett, Elliott, and Everett Schopp; two brothers, Charles (Cleta) Akers, II, and Michael (Janny) Akers; sister, Mary (Craig) Brookover; former spouse, Thornton Ridinger; several nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.
Memorial Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. A reception will follow the ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.