Judith passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in the early morning of Monday November 24th, 2025 in Naples, Fl. The prior evening she watched “It’s a wonderful life” with family, which was her favorite movie. She loved to watch it whenever she could. She believed she really did live a wonderful life and it reminded her of the nostalgia and good times growing up in a small town for which she was always grateful. Judith had a remarkable journey, she grew up in Newark, Ohio in a very close knit and loving family with her parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. She loved school and loved to write. She often wrote back and forth with her relatives throughout her life and saved all of the family letters going back to the 1940’s for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to enjoy and learn about her ancestry. Her favorite flowers were Lily of the Valley, when she was a small child she would pick them in the spring from a neighbors garden and give them to her grandmother. This was one of her fondest memories. She was most proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Halloween was her favorite holiday. When her children were young she would make all of their Halloween costumes by hand, and they would be quite detailed. One year Kevin was a donkey and Bobby was a bear! Once her children were grown she loved to make her own costumes and dress up for her grandchildren and also the children in the neighborhood for the holiday. Her favorite was the Energizer Bunny, full size, lifelike costume, going back and forth beating her drum just like the commercials. She also had a special place in her heart for all of her pets throughout her life and loved treating them as her little babies.
She began her professional career working for the Newark board of education. After moving to Toledo, Ohio she became an executive administrative assistant working for Marshal, Melhorn, Cole, Hummer and Spitzer, Owens Corning Fiberglass and Stradum, Inc. In her later years she moved to Naples, Fl. to continue Working for Duane Stranahan Jr. of Stradum, Inc. During her career she also went to the University of Toledo at night to study the medical field, as well as obtaining her Real estate license and working for the OEA Association. She loved her work and was very proud of all she did and what she accomplished over the years. Judith is preceded in death by her parents Fredderick James John, Dorothy Fern John, and her soul mate Thomas Calkins.
She is survived by her sister, Constance (Tom) Ames; her two sons, Kevin (Sylvia) Gralak, Robert D. (Jennifer) Gralak. Grandchildren; Kristina Gralak, Johnathan (Taylor) Gralak, Angie (Gary) Parker, Stephanie (Luke) Allen, Jonathan (Lorn) Hanley; Great Grandchildren, Cove, Creek, Brooklyn, Savannah, Luke, Lanie and Cooper. Also, her best friend, Nancy Haney and many other friends and family. Judith will be interned next to her parents in Newark Memorial Gardens where they were always confident they will be able to hear the roar of the crowds from The Ohio State “The Horseshoe” stadium as they continue the dominance of beating that team up north. It is requested that donations be made to the Humane Society.
