Obituary for Judith Earich

Judy Earich, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, caregiver, and friend, completed her earthly journey on October 5th, 2022. Her kindness, humor, and generosity will be missed and fondly remembered by those who knew and loved her.

Judith Lynne Earich was born in Coshocton, Ohio, to Albert and Arline Earich on December 28th, 1945. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Margaret Ann. She is survived by her brother, David (Susan) Earich of Nashport, Ohio, and sister, Mary (Jim) Cox of Owatonna, Minnesota; niece Laura and nephews David, Grant, Andy, and Kevin; and their children.

Judy attended David Lipscomb University and graduated from California State Fullerton with a degree in sociology. While attending college, she lived with relatives Burl and Vonda Ervin to assist in the care of their three children. After joining the newly-formed Peace Corps, Judy served in Brazil for two years. Along the way, she learned to samba and was blessed to see the United States land on the moon while living in Brazil.

After returning to the United States, Judy worked for the State of Ohio Social Security Administration in Cincinnati and Columbus. On special assignment at the SSA headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, one of her key projects was to help simplify HIPAA.

Judy had a servant’s heart. Her Christian faith, upbringing, and education positioned her for a life of doing God’s work. She had compassion for the downtrodden and served those in need. Actively involved in mission work at home and abroad, Judy organized trips to Honduras, teaching Bible classes to the young, organizing meal ministry for the Spring Road Church, and providing transportation to the food pantry. Judy served as a trustee on the board of Willow Brook Christian Communities. Additionally, Judy provided loving care for her mother in the final years of her life.

Known for her culinary skills and green thumb, Judy loved being outside and brightening the days of others with a vase of her flowers. Few could assemble start-to-finish gourmet meals on just a few feet of counter space, but Judy made it happen. Judy was an avid reader, and some of her favorite “short stories” were new recipes to try. She also enjoyed baking homemade cookies and other treats, including made-from-scratch items for Spring Road’s meal ministry.

No one was a stranger around Judy; whether traveling or just running errands, she loved getting to know people and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. In her neighborhood, she enjoyed trick-or-treat night and having a school bus stop near her front yard. She also loved children, especially her niece and nephews, and the “grands”. Despite her immense love for them, friends and family knew not to call Judy on Tuesday evenings when CSI was on television. Over the years, actor Mark Harmon kindly sent Judy not one, but two autographed photos.

Judy’s love of travel began with childhood trips out West. The Earichs would leave for weeks at a time to see extended family, as well as Zion, Four Corners, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and many other places.

With a suitcase in one hand and a Rick Steves guide in the other, Judy was always up for an adventure. Before China fully opened to western tourism, she explored the country through a program with the Ohio State University. She and Jessie, a childhood friend since first grade, chaperoned a group of middle schoolers in a Japanese exchange program. Her favorite travels include a journey to Egypt with cousins Adelva, Sarah and Russ; the Czech Republic and Amsterdam; beautiful New Zealand; and game viewing in Kenya and Tanzania. In Judy’s own words, “God gave us a beautiful, diverse world in which to live. Take care of it.”

Judy bravely battled cancer for the last seven years. Spring Road family Robin and Diane Weier and Maureen Dennewitz are greatly appreciated for their special care and friendship. After a lifetime of service and kindness, here and abroad, Judy made her final journey home Wednesday evening, October 5th, 2022. Throughout her life’s celebrations and setbacks, Judy’s faith never wavered. From one of her favorite hymns: “In all the world around me I see His loving care/ And though my heart grows weary I never will despair/ I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast/ The day of His appearing will come at last.  

It was Judy's wishes that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the following organizations:

Mid-Western Children's Home, 

Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

Willow Brook Christian Communities