Judith Oleksa

Judith (Judy) M. Oleksa, born Nov. 18, 1939, in South Bend, Indiana to Claude and Helen (Hennion) Cook, passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2023.

Judy attended Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio and worked as a registered nurse until 2013. Judy worked many aspects of nursing but spent the last 24 years in a nursing home setting. She worked for Ottawa County Riverview and Otterbein in Marblehead as the night nursing supervisor.

She married the love of her life, Jerome “Jerry” E. Oleksa, who preceded her in death on Jan. 15, 2021, on September 3, 1960, in South Bend, Indiana. They then started their 60-year marriage together in the Cleveland area. They moved to Port Clinton in 1978 and had remained residents until their deaths. Judy and Jerry were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marblehead.

They traveled to many destinations around the world. Judy was an avid reader, knitter, quilter, puzzle maker and enjoyed several ladies’ groups she was in; The Red Hats group she founded, her neighborhood “Knitting Group”, and a group of former co-workers.

Her tabby cat, Sam, has been her companion for the last 2 ½ years and brought her much joy as well as her wonderful neighbors in the Colony Club sub-division. Judy is preceded in death by her oldest son, Steven Oleksa, and she is survived by her son Brian (Betsy) Oleksa, Old Hickory, TN, daughter Cheryl DeVore, Port Clinton, grandchildren, James, Benjamin (Chelsey), Kathryn Oleksa, David Cook and Christine (Sean) McGreevy, four great grandchildren, Abigail, Juliana, Barrett and Teagan McGreevy, sibling C. Joe (Sandra)Cook and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Visitation for Judy will be conducted from 2-4 and 6-8 at Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral home Fri., Sept 1, 2023, and a visitation held at 10:30am on Sat., Sept 2nd at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 802 Barclay St. Marblehead, OH 43440. A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Joseph Szybka , immediately following the visitation, at 11 AM. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the Donor’s choice. The Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 216 Washington St. is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com

Interment will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Riverview Cemetery in Port Clinton, Ohio   There will be a Celebration of Life for both Jerry and Judy also on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Bay Township Hall, 4471 W. Fremont Road, Port Clinton, Ohio.