Judy Ann Wesling

“She served us well, and we served her well.” Our generous, loving, sometimes irreverent, always opinionated, funny, beautiful mother, Julia “Judy” Herber Wesling went peacefully to heaven on February 14, 2026, fittingly the day of love. Mom was the second born of eight to Dorothy and IA Herber on October 22, 1936 in New Haven, Indiana. Never one to hold back her thoughts, we always enjoyed her stories of mouthing off to the nuns while attending Catholic school. During cosmetology school, she met our dad Bill in 1955 and they were married two years later. In her wedding memorabilia, there are copious notes of a “Canned Good Shower” her friends threw for her. Not yet a cook, she often made boiled hot dogs for dinner, which our dad forever referred to as “tube steak.” One funny story she told of her early baking involved her throwing a chocolate cake against the wall of their tiny Winter Street house when it didn’t turn out. Thankfully for all of us, she grew into the best cook ever, and honed her love language of serving others. She collected institutional size baking dishes, mixing bowls and a dozen cookie sheets, mostly from garage sales and second-hand stores, that allowed her to cook for her friends, neighbors, and family. She always knew everyone’s favorites and would be sure to have a fish dinner (blue gill that dad caught) for Mindy, bbq ribs for Andy, stew for Jennifer, sausage rolls for Drew, creme wafers for Hayley (that she made over 600 as favors for Hayley and Sloane’s wedding), bean soup for Logan, apple crisp for dad, and avocado toast for Becky. The Kendallville Apple Fest weekend was a time for mom to really show off. With a housefull of people, there were homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, four kinds of cheese balls, and a feast for dinner. For lunch, we were off to the Fest, mom armed with a knife and a bag of hamburger buns in her oversized purse (and pulling a wagon of children). A single purchased pork fritter sandwich, with the meat extending past the bun in both directions, could feed three people so mom was always prepared. We never bought the apple dumplings at the fest because we knew mom’s homemade ones with her flaky crust were far more superior. There were a few mishaps along the way. She once put her famous potato skins in the garage to keep cold and the neighbor dog came and ate the filling. Mom just restuffed the cheese and bacon and no one was the wiser. Mom’s Christmas cookies were epic, making up to 20 varieties to share. We “loved” this task because we were the cookie packers, trying desperately to follow the instructions she called out randomly. “Give Liz more marshmallows, she likes those.” “Barb likes the fudge so give her more of that. And put some fudge back for Drew and Andy.” “The apricot bars are for David.” “Diana likes the caramel corn so give her two bags of that.” “Hayley likes the oatmeal sandwich cookies.” Even in her final days, her thoughts were on serving others. The doctor at the hospital said to her, “I’m sorry I didn’t get to know you before this.” Her response, with her hand on his cheek, “You missed out. I make great pies.” She even woke up at one point and whispered to Becky, “There’s pizza in the oven. Make sure you get some of that.” She will be missed by all - Mindy, Jennifer, Andy, Drew, Kate, Hayley, Sloane, Becky, Camper, Diana, Barb, Liz, Steve, Natalie, Allyson, Bridget, Angela, Logan, Kate, Roxanne, Libby, Terry, Melissa, Nancy, Jean, Megan, Kim, Tom, Dave, Lisa, Marian, Kay, Rosemary, Peggy, Gayle, Jon, Susan, Jeff, Gail,and all their families, the entire Marfurt family, many more nieces and nephews and countless friends and family. There is no service planned. In lieu of flowers, please spend time with your family, share a meal, or cook one of Judy’s recipes. There is a QR code in the photos section

Judy Ann Wesling

October 22, 1936 - February 14, 2026