Obituary for Judith “Judy” L. (Ziegler) Woodard

Services for Judith “Judy” Woodard will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Schindewolf-Stout-Crates Funeral Home in Kenton by Rev. Steve Hess.

Burial will follow in Grove Cemetery, Kenton.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Schindewolf-Stout-Crates Funeral Home, Kenton on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Judy went to her heavenly home at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday November 1st, 2025 at Miami Valley Hospital. Judy was born in Hardin County on February 17,1943 to the late George L. and Marjorie A. (Ford) Ziegler. Judy married Gary D. Woodard on May 24, 1964 and in 2024 they celebrated 60 years of marriage together.

She was preceded in death by brothers Michael, Douglas, and Burke, and sister Joanne. Surviving are a sister Janice “Jan” Kuck, brother George W. Ziegler and sister-in-laws Dorothy Ziegler and Sherry Ann Greentree. Judy is survived by her children, Amy Beth, Bonnie (Steve) Brielmaier, Daniel (Shawna) Woodard, and grandchildren, Elijah, Anna, and Joseph Woodard.

Judy was a graduate of Kenton High School class of 1961. She graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in 1964 and later earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in Maine. She was employed at Riverside Methodist Hospital as an ICU nurse, at Hardin Memorial Hospital, and later at Hardin Hills Health Center. She was a school nurse for twenty-four years at Hardin Northern Local School District. She and Gary ran a pick-your-own strawberry patch business for several summers.

Judy decided to go into nursing after a long illness when she was a young teenager. During her hospitalization her parents had been told she may not survive. However, while hospitalized, Judy experienced assurance in the promise of heaven and God’s amazing love. After her recovery, she became determined to learn more about Jesus and also decided to study to become a nurse. As a nurse she appreciated being able to help others.

Judy really loved being a grandmother and was always happy spending time with her three grandchildren. She enjoyed making crafts, traveling, camping, and taking photographs of many places out west. Judy appreciated God’s beauty in all of nature, from the faraway mountains or as close as the hummingbirds and butterflies that were seen out her window. She especially enjoyed spending some winter retirement time in Punta Gorda, Florida with friends and relatives.

She was a member of Tender Loving Care Mother’s Club, Kenton Alliance Church, and attended Northmont Alliance Church in Englewood, Ohio. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Memorials may be made to the Kenton Alliance Church, or Heartbeat of Hardin County.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.stoutcrates.com.