Judith Ann Bridges

Judith Ann “Judy” Bridges, 62, of Elkhart, formerly of Granger, died on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Elkhart General Hospital.

Judy was born on February 21, 1955 in St. Ignace, MI to the late Gordon and Lillian (Hansen) Schlehuber.

On July 23, 1988, Judy married Patrick D. “Pat” Bridges in Mason, MI.  He survives along with a son, Sean P. Bridges and a daughter, Shannon M. Bridges, both of Elkhart and two brothers, James (Cheryl) Schlehuber and Ivan (Karen) Schlehuber, both of St. Ignace.

Judy was a graduate of Ferris State University and Davenport University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration.  She began her dental career as a dental assistant and later worked at Delta Dental in Lansing, MI for almost 20 years.  Family was her number one job and passion and she was grateful for the opportunity to stay home with her children, up until their secondary schooling.  She was then employed as a counselor, mainly serving the Penn-Harris-Madison School district.  Judy was last employed as a dental teacher at the Elkhart Area Career Center for the past seven years.  She loved working with all of the students, teaching life lessons and was a great role model to all.

In her spare time, Judy enjoyed crafts, refurbishing antique furnishings and was quite adept at building shadow boxes.  She and Pat enjoyed traveling the world but was at her happiest when she was on the water.  She was also a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.  Most importantly, Judy loved her family and was grateful for her wonderful friends.  She was always gracious and kept her sense of humor even throughout her long battle with cancer.  She was known for her zest for life, contagious laugh, glowing smile and everyone loved her.

Visitation for Judy will be on Friday from 2 to 6 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home 403 W. Franklin St. Elkhart, IN.  A Memorial Service will be held on Friday October 6 at 6 p.m., also at the funeral home.  The Rev. Bob Van Kempen of St. Mary’s of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol will officiate.

Memorial contributions in memory of Judy may be directed to the Elkhart County Humane Society 54687 C. R. 19 Bristol, IN 46507 or to the Boy Scouts of America, LaSalle Council 1340 South Bend Avenue South Bend, IN 46617.

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