Judy Fisher, 85

Wilda Marie (Judy) Fisher, age 85, passed peacefully from this earthly life on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, at her daughter’s home in Portland, Ore.

Judy was born June 11, 1926, in Sturgis, to Stewart and Adella (Schragg) Slingerland. She earned the nickname “Judy” at an early age because of her lovely singing voice and was often called “little Judy Garland”. She attended school in Sturgis and White Pigeon, graduating there in 1944.

She was married to Donald Merritt Tifft then later to G. Dale Fisher. For a number of years, Judy and Dale traveled from Sturgis to Houghton Lake for deer hunting season and in 1957 they moved there to own and operate Whitehead’s restaurant for a number of years.

While in Sturgis she worked as an executive secretary at the Kirsch Company and was later office manager for Penney’s Lumber in Prudenville, Mich. until her retirement. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Judy was always popular and her friends and neighbors were a very important part of her life. She loved animals and had many feline friends throughout the years. She loved to read and listen to music and for many years she was an avid bowler. Her brother taught her how to keep baseball stats as a child, a habit she continued the rest of her life as she cheered for the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. A special joy was fishing on the Cut River with her dear friend Lawrence Stremersch, and spending time at his cabin there.

She is survived by her daughter Leslie (Douglas) Carrick; six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; cousin Willa Jean (Billie) Osbon of Sturgis, and other cousins and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both spouses; brother, Allison Slingerland; and sister, Carmen Lahmeyer, both of Sturgis.

Interment will be Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Hackman Family Funeral Home.