Julia J. "Judy" Wenger, 81 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 3:15 a.m. at her residence on Thursday, July 5, 2012 following an illness of one month. Judy was born on Thursday, November 13, 1930 in Denver, Colorado the daughter of the late Calvin Smith and the late Catherine (Chase) Smith. She married Norman Wenger on June 18, 1949 in Bluffton, Indiana and they just celebrated sixty-three years of marriage. Judy was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. She was an avid craft maker. She and Norm would visit many craft shows and festivals in Grabill, Nappanee, and Portland. She also loved her flowers and was very proud of her flower garden. She collected dolls and bears, in addition to many other things. Animals were another important part of her life as she cared for her cats and dogs and other animals that found their way to her doorstep. Judy was employed at the Decatur Sears Catalog Store for eighteen years. Surviving are her husband, Norman Wenger of Decatur; daughter, Sandy (George) LaTurner of Decatur; and daughter, Lisa (Rick Thornton) Hirn of Decatur; daughter-in-law, Darlene Wenger of Decatur. She was also survived by eleven grandchildren: Rod DeRoo, Matt DeRoo, Aaron (Tina) LaTurner, Josh (Lisa) LaTurner, Craig (Ricci) Wenger, Michael (DeeDee Jaurigue) Wenger, Karen (Mark) Stahl, Melissa (Dan) Ortiz, Jeremy (Katie) Hirn, Brandon (Ame) Hirn, Tyler (Prayer) Hirn; and numerous great-grandchildren. Preceding Julia in death were a son, Michael D. Wenger on October 15, 1977; two brothers, Calvin & Larry Smith; one sister, Jean D'Adam. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2012 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with Rev. Martha Lyon officiating. Interment will follow in the Six Mile Cemetery, Bluffton, Indiana. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 8, 2012 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the services on Monday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to Mad Anthony's Children's Hope House (checks payable to Children's Hope Inc); or First United Methodist Church, Decatur.
