Judy Ann (Johnson) Bollinger, 83, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed into the loving arms of her savior Jesus Christ Monday, April 15, 2024, at Hope Creek Nursing & Rehab, East Moline, IL. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 18, at Dennison Funeral Home in Viola. The funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 19, at the New Windsor Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at the Hopewell Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be left to the New Kingdom Trail Riders. Online condolences can be made at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.
Judy was born July 30, 1940, to Herbert and K. Verle Parker Johnson in New Windsor, IL. She grew up in New Windsor with her brothers and sisters, Marilyn (George) Laird, Bertie Randall, David, Orville, Alyce (Bud) Nelson, and Delbert (Lucille).
In high school, Judy met a rough-around-the-edges young man with wavy hair. At first she wasn’t sure if she liked him, but it ended up she did like him. Judy decided this guy just needed some sanding and she was the girl to do it. Judy married the love of her life Jack Bollinger on June 14, 1958. They were so very blessed to like to work together and made many wonderful projects and trips. They remodeled homes, refurbished a bus into a camper, and led youth group work trips all while Judy did her sanding on Jack and Jack sanded on Judy. Sanding, sanding, sanding to get their pieces to fit together just right.
Speaking of major projects, Jack and Judy raised six perfect kids. Okay not even close to perfect and raised is more like works in progress; but she loved them anyway and was proud of them all despite their imperfections. The kids grew and got married, bearing the real prize: grandchildren. Judy adored her grandkids and loved spending time going to their games, music concerts, school events, and more. Judy’s heart as well as her home was full of pictures and memories of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids doing life.
Judy was an excellent cook and enjoyed bowling, crafting, sewing, and working with her hands. She was active in the New Windsor Presbyterian Church and women’s groups. Anyone who really knew Judy would often talk about how sweet she was, and she was the sweetest loving person who cared deeply for her friends, family, extended family, and those in need. Her family can tell you the sweetness didn’t come just from a huge loving heart but also from an incredible sweet tooth. Judy loved the sweets, and a good dinner wasn’t complete if it didn’t include dessert or some scotcharoos.
As if 6 kids, 14 grandkids, and 9 great-grands weren’t enough, Judy worked for Winola and Sherrard school districts. She drove ag kids and special education kids for Winola and worked as lunch staff at both Winola and Sherrard for many years. Judy was always feeding kids with food, experiences, and love.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. Survivors include her husband, Jack; children, Jazan Bollinger, Aledo, Darcy (Randy) Smith, Rock Island, Jacque Bollinger, Rock Island, Scott (Becky) Bollinger, Viola, Cory (Elizabeth) Bollinger, Lady Lake FL, and Nicole (Phil) Martel, Mason, OH; sisters-in-law, Lucille Johnson and Tami (Bill) Bolling; brother-in-law, Terry (Ann) Bollinger; grandchildren, Jason (Tulisa) Bollinger, Fyre Lake, Heath (Dora) Smith, Milan, Brittany Bollinger, Viola, Eric Carney, New Windsor, Brandon (Abbi Wilson) Carney, Coal Valley, Briley (Zach) Birkey, Monee, Jordan (Kim Johnson) Smith, Sherrard, Jacob (Allison Way) Bollinger, Fresno, CA, Taylor (Tyler) Schmidt, Jacksonville, Brennen (Madison) Bollinger, Rochester, MI, Adam Bollinger, Morris, MN, Natalie Bollinger, Lady Lake, FL, and Samantha and Gabriella Martel, Mason, OH; great-grands, Malia (Camden) Sellers, Rock Island, Ava Bollinger, Sherrard, Nieko Martinez and Nolan Smith, Milan, Creighton, Madden and Scotlyn Birkey, Monee, and Shea and Baylen Bollinger, Rochester, MI; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Come celebrate with Judy’s family as they honor this well-sanded and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Well done, good and faithful servant.