Justin "Judd" F. Bleeke

Justin “Judd” Bleeke, 93 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

He was born on Monday, December 4, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the son of the late Adolph J. Bleeke and the late Marie (Schmidt) Bleeke. He married Elizabeth “Libby” Causer on April 21, 1946 in Syracuse, Indiana.

Judd served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble where he was formerly involved in the church choir and served his church in several significant capacities. He was a member of the American Legion Post #43 of Decatur; the Optimist Club of Decatur; and also former president of the local Decatur Chamber of Commerce.

Judd retired as vice-president of First State Bank of Decatur with 23 years of service. Prior to banking he was co-owner with his father, Adolph, of the Mirror Tavern, now Vinnie's Bar in Decatur. He was also a loan officer and manager at the Local Loan Office in Decatur.

Along with his wife, Libby, Judd enjoyed flowers. He was an avid golfer for many years and fishing and vacationing in Michigan were favorite events.

Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Libby Bleeke of Decatur, IN; son, William (Debra) Bleeke of Fort Wayne, IN; daughter, Pamela (Lon) Dayton of San Francisco, CA; daughter, LouAnn (Duane) Myers of Montrose, CO; son, Daniel Bleeke of Decatur, IN; five grandchildren, Chad Bleeke, Scott Bleeke, Tiffany Outlaw, Corey Aguilar, and Kyle Serzen; six great-grandchildren; one step-grandchild, Cassidy Sevier; and five step-great-grandchildren.

Judd was preceded in death by a son, Richard L. Bleeke, who died in service to his country during the Vietnam War and a sister, Ruth Stock.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2016 in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with Rev. Dr. Daniel Brege officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Preble with military graveside honors to be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 Color Guard.

Friends will be received from 2 to 5 & 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, August 25 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday .

Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble.