Judith A. Scheller

Date of Birth

Jun 07,1936

Date of Death

Apr 12,2012

NAME Judith Anne Scheller (nee Bideaux), age 75, of Sycamore, passed from this life to eternal life on Thursday April 12, 2012 surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. BORN: Judy was born June 7th, 1936 in Dubuque, Iowa to Joseph and Pearl Bideaux. EARLY YEARS:Judy’s first few years were spent in Dubuque, Iowa where her parents owned a butcher shop on Central Avenue. When Judy was 4 years old her father died and she and her mother moved in with her Grandmother Ehlers and Aunt Ruth while her Uncle Joe was away fighting in World War II. Aunt Ruth became a second mother to her and they remained very close through her entire life. After the war Pearl remarried and she, Judy and her new husband, Paul Pillasch, moved to a farm in Scales Mound, Illinois where Judy attended grade school. As a teenager her family moved to a farm in Key West, Iowa. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy where she graduated with the Class of 1954. During these years, a boy named Ambrose Scheller moved to the farm next door. Inevitably, Judy and Am started dating. At the age of 18, Judy knew she was with the love of her life, Ambrose, and they were married on April 30, 1955. Judy and Am moved to a small house they were building on Southern Avenue in Dubuque and lived in the basement while it was under construction. "Uncle Sam" called for Am soon after their marriage which put the house on hold for two years. When Ambrose returned to Dubuque, they continued to live in the basement until their house was finished. Their first four children – Jerry, Marianne, Lynn and Michelle – were born while living in Dubuque. In 1965, Ambrose’s work took him to Cicero and Judy set up house in Oswego, Illinois. During this time they added four more to the family – Margaret, Mark, Melissa, and Mike. In 1984 they moved to Galesburg, Illinois where they made their home for the next 26 years before moving back north to their current home in Sycamore. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:During her high school years she worked part time as a secretary for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. After high school she continued her career as a secretary and worked for the Midwest Lumber Company from 1958 – 1960. Although she loved the work she did, in 1961 she decided to provide for her family the best way she knew how, with her love and commitment to them, and became a homemaker. LIFE NOTES: Judy was a devoted wife and mother who gave her love unconditionally in good times and bad. There was nothing more treasured or important in Judy’s eyes than her family. She provided the glue that kept the family together and leaves behind a strong and tight knit family. Nothing pleased her more than to be around her children and grandchildren. She loved attending performances, plays, and games that her grandchildren were in. Her children remember her attending every softball game, basketball game, track meet and whatever other activity they were taking part in. She worked tirelessly to always keep it about the family. Her tireless efforts were reflected when she cared for her mother, mother-in-law, and aunt when their health declined. Judy always had a special place in her heart for animals as well. She always had a dog and a cat in the house. She enjoyed taking the dog for a walk around the neighborhood. While living in Galesburg, one of her pastimes was feeding the squirrels, and you often found her in her backyard doing just that. Judy and Ambrose enjoyed traveling together. They often found themselves catching a train or just jumping in the car and taking a road trip. Their journeys went from Washington State to Washington DC and from Florida to Niagara Falls. The last trip she took was to the Black Hills in an RV with her daughter and son-in-law, Marianne and Don, where they met up with other family members for a reunion with most of their children. One of Judy’s favorite past times was watching every one of her beloved Chicago Cubs games on TV, as she was a true diehard fan.She also enjoyed cross stitching. She made beautiful baby blankets for each of her grandchildren as well as other items for her children and others including, tablecloths, baby bibs, and pillow cases. If you were coming into town for a visit, Judy would jump at the chance to make you your favorite foods. She was especially known for her banana bread and delicious applesauce. Her children have fond memories staying up late on summer nights helping her can corn (and eating the leftovers on cobs), jelly, tomatoes, pickles, and many other fruits and vegetables. And if you knew Judy well you would recognize her signature quirky sayings such as "a horse a piece", "long row to hoe", and "holy mackerel". SURVIVORS: She is survived by her husband Ambrose Scheller of Sycamore, IL.Her children: Jerry Scheller (Susan Ellingson) of Seattle, WA, Marianne (Don) Schiff of Maple Park, IL, Lynn Scheller of Chariton, IA, Michelle (Randy) Ford of Cortland, IL, Margaret (Jim) Traughber of Mundelein, IL, Mark (Michelle) Scheller of Hinckley, IL, Melissa (Brian) McGuire of Knoxville, IL, and Mike Scheller (Katianne Lierman) of Portland, ORHer grandchildren:Alex Scheller, Elizabeth Scheller, Madeleine Scheller, Matthew Schiff (Heather Rogers), Sarah Schiff, Rick Rodriguez, Sadye Scheller, Jennifer Ford, Rebecca Ford, Alexis FordBrandon Traughber, Zachary Traughber, Nick Young, Kayleigh Young, Joe Scheller, Ben McGuire, Nate McGuire, Luke McGuire, and Aidan SchellerHer great-grandchildren: Keegan, Madysen, and RyleighPRECEDED:She is preceded by: her father Joseph Bideaux, mother Pearl Pillasch, stepfather Paul Pillasch, uncle Joe Schuckert, and aunt Ruth Schuckert.VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held at 10:00am on April 23, 2011 at the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, Maple Park. Fr. Dennis Morrissy, pastor of the church, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Maple Park. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Judy’s name to benefit the following charities: DeKalb County Hospice and the Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Community Hospital.Checks may be made to the "Judy Scheller Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held at 10:00am on April 23, 2011 at the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, Maple Park. Fr. Dennis Morrissy, pastor of the church, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Maple Park.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Maple Park.

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