Judy L. (Baty) King-Callahan, 65, of Epworth, Iowa, formerly of Montgomery, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Mercy One in Dubuque, Iowa.
Funeral Services for Judy were to be held Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa with Rev. Bill Shea S.V.D. presiding. Burial will follow at Highview Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers were Lillian Schieltz, Al Main, Ginny Horsfield, Dianne Callahan, Mary Bries, Julie & Bo Northup, Chase King, Gavin King, Jillian King, William King, Quinn Schieltz, Alicia, Lydia & Luca Gutierrez.
Casketbearers were Alex Turnis, Larry Silker, Austin Schieltz, Ryan Schieltz, Dick Bries, Terry“Cal” Callahan, Mike Conter and Tom Weidemann.
Judy was born on July 10, 1953, in Middletown, NY, daughter of Allen Lee and Melba Marleah (Broas) Baty. She graduated from Clarke College and University of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa with her Masters in Special Education. She worked as a Special Needs Teacher for the Cascade Jr. & Sr. High School in Cascade, Iowa for 36 years until her retirement. During this time she was the head of the Special Education Department for 36 years, served on several school committees and was a liaison for Keystone AEA. She received the Gold Star Teacher of Excellence Award. Judy was the first teacher to arrive to school in the morning and the last one to leave.
On August 4, 1973, she was united in marriage to Randall W. “Randy” King at Epworth United Methodist Church in Epworth, Iowa. He preceded her in death on September 26, 1992. On June 6, 1994, she was united in marriage to James P. “Kites” Callahan. He preceded her in death on November 24, 2018.
Judy was a member of the Epworth Garden Club, Epworth Town and Country Community, Cub Scout leader, Highview Cemetery secretary and Epworth rural cemetery keeper. She volunteer as “JuJu” the clown for many years and did a lot of mentoring and summer tutoring. She also was chaperone for the Western Dubuque “Western Trip.” Judy enjoyed the casino and the garden, especially spending time with her children, grandchildren and great- grandchild.
Judy leaves behind her children, Karen (Mike) Schieltz of New Vienna, Matt (Melissa) King of Bernard, Jon (Jennifer) King of Bernard, Jackie (Robbie) Gutierrez of Brazil, Melissa Callahan of Bloomington, MN, and Mick Callahan of Chicago, IL. Her ten grandchildren, Austin, Lillian, and Ryan Schieltz, Chase and Gavin King, Alicia, Lydia, and Luca Gutierrez, William and Jillian King and Judy’s great granddaughter, Quinn Schieltz; her nine siblings, Allen Jr. (Cher) Baty of Montgomery, Roger (Terry) Baty of Colorado Springs, CO, Lee (Roxanne) Baty of Montgomery, Donna Silker of Peosta, IA, Raymond Baty of Greenfield Park, NY, Kim (Frank) Kosteczko Gardiner, Gigi (Charlie) Bauer of Montgomery, Diann (John) Riker of Montgomery, and Robin (Brian) Kaufmann of Wallkill.
She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, James (Sharon) King of FL, Doris McClun of Farley, IA, Marilyn (Manuel) Palato of Willington, NC, Carolyn Kearney of Hazel Green, WI, Jani Horner of Davenport, IA, Mary (Dick) Bries of Farley, IA, Terry (Dianne) Callahan of Epworth, IA and Julie (Bo) Northup of Packwood, IA.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, a sister, Suzann Baty in infancy in 1963, a brother Dale James Baty in 1973, and three brothers-in-law, Phil Silker, Donnie Schainker and Jerry McClun.
Judy was the number one advocate for all children.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Epworth Garden Club, Epworth American Legion and the Epworth Fire Department in memory of Judy Callahan.
The family would like to give special thanks to Sherry Kelchen ARNP at Medical Associates in Cascade, the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Medical Associates Oncology and Mercy One Hospital.
Online condolences may be sent to reifffuneralhomeinc.com