Judith Maxine Smith

Judith Smith

Judith Smith, 69, formerly of Unionville, MO, passed away unexpectedly at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA, on Monday, July 20, 2015.

Judith Maxine Smith was born in Centerville, IA, on February 1, 1946, the daughter of Howard and Dorothy (Johnson) Smith, who preceded her in death. Judith was reared in the Mendota area of Putnam County, MO, and attended high school in Unionville. She moved to Princeton, IA, as a young woman and worked at various jobs in the Quad Cities. In 1984 she moved to Wheatland, IA, with her mother and daughter. Judith returned to Unionville in the early 1990’s where she continued as a stay-at-home mom and caretaker to her mother. She worked for fourteen years in the kitchen at the Putnam County Care Center providing meals to residents until she retired in 2011. She moved to Ames, IA, in December of 2014, to be near her daughter.

Judith was a fun-loving person who was especially jovial with close friends and family. She enjoyed visiting on the phone to keep in touch. Otherwise, she had a quiet personality who was content to stay home and have family and friends come for evening visits. She was willing to try any craft at least once but especially liked to embroider baby quilts, crochet, and engage in other assorted crafts like Donna Dewberry painting. She also liked to look at Facebook, watch the Decorah eaglets, and play online puzzle games.

Judith is survived by her daughter, Nicole Balvanz and husband Matthew of Ames, IA, and by three sisters, Wanda Logsdon of Princeton, IA; Pauline Heyl of LeClaire, IA; and Lotis Mathes of Unionville, MO. She is also survived many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Judith was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Sheehan, brothers-in-law Glen Logsdon and Junior Heyl, and nephew Jackie Heyl.

Funeral services for Judith Smith will take place at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:30 am Friday, July 24, 2015, with visitation one hour prior to the service. There will be no immediate burial and cremation and interment will take place later.

Memorials for Judith Smith are suggested to the choice of the donor and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565