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1949 Judy 2023

Judy Ann Painter

November 1, 1949 — January 3, 2023

Estero

Judy Ann Painter went to walk with God on Tuesday morning January 3rd, 2023.

Judy was born in Van Wert, Ohio on November 1st, 1949 to William Pancake and Jeanne Pancake. In 1971, she married Denny Summersett and had two children, Tonya Powers and Thad Summersett. Denny passed away from melanoma cancer in 1981. In 1983, she married L Gary Painter DDS and had a daughter, Megan Maassel. Judy is survived by her husband, daughters, three sisters: Barb Eppley, Luanne Watson, and Jane Oechsle. She has two grandchildren Owen and Maya Powers and two step children Brandon Painter and Katie Brown.

Judy was a 1967 graduate of Crestview High School and a 1970 graduate of Parkview Methodist School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse in Van Wert and then was the administrator for her husband's dental practice in Convoy, OH.

Known as "Beauty Judy" to her bible study group, she was a devoted wife, loving mother, supportive friend, beloved sister, and steadfast Christian. She enjoyed life's simple pleasures and was known for her vogue fashion, knack for decorating, eye for landscaping, I-need-that-recipe cooking, thoughtful gifts, untiring thriftiness, and command of English grammar and vocabulary.

Judy was a fighter. Her life was marked by miracles, survival, and determination. She endured the early deaths of her mother, first husband, and son. In the early 2000's she was nearly killed by scleroderma, which caused kidney disease. Needing a kidney transplant, family members and friends failed basic compatibility tests. After all hope was lost, a total stranger, Mark Beck, heard of Judy and wanted to be her donor. Mark had a rare, pure blood composition that matched Judy perfectly, as if Mark was a twin. Through this miraculous match and selfless act, Judy was gifted 22 more rich years of life.

In 2020 the scleroderma returned and claimed her legs below the knees. Judy survived, healed, adjusted to life in a wheelchair, built strength by riding her "green machine" hand cycle, learned to drive with her hands, reclaimed her independence, updated her wardrobe and got back to her bible study group.

Judy Painter always held on to her joy and was constantly sharing what she called "Joy Bombs" and "God Sightings". Her last week of life was spent feeling healthy and happy, surrounded by family in sunny Florida where she remarked, "This is just as good as it gets."

Without a doubt she is with Jesus. In His divine mercy and perfect timing, God called her Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Central Ministries Church, 5801 Schwartz Road, Ft Wayne, Indiana 46835 with Pastor Ben Powers, son-in-law, officiating. Interment will follow in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Convoy.

Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 AM at the church on Thursday.

Preferred memorials may be directed to Turnstone-Empowering Adults and Children with Disabilities, 3320 North Clinton St, Ft Wayne, Indiana 46805 or https://turnstone.org/donate.

To
share online condolences, please visit www.alspachgearhart.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S. Washington St, Van Wert, Ohio 45891.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judy Ann Painter, please visit our flower store.

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