Judith (Judy) Gail Lewman

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Judith (Judy) Gail Lewman, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, and sister. She left us on February 19, 2025, at the age of 87. She passed peacefully with her loved ones around her. She was born in Joplin, Missouri on October 18, 1937, to her parents, Russell (Bo) Prince and Virginia Zimmerman, and step mother, Neva Prince nee Weston. She married her high school sweetheart, Gary Neil Lewman, at the age of 17. 

Her family was her heart and soul. She gave countless hours supporting PTA, being a Sunday school teacher and Scouts Den leader. She organized school parties and fundraisers, all the while making friends and touching lives along the way. As a grandmother, she adored her “Six Pack” of grandsons and would travel all over to delight in moments with them. As a great grandmother, she continued to look forward to family gatherings to just be with her little grandchildren and their priceless positive energy. 

She also cherished the simple pleasures in life - playing bridge, Nuts, or any game with family or friends. She and Gary spent years enjoying challenge square dancing and traveled all over the country with friends to enjoy dancing together. 

If you were around Judy for any length of time, it didn’t take long before you discovered what an avid sports fan she was, as shown by being season ticket holders for the Chiefs and Cardinals. She rarely missed a game on TV which was enhanced by extensive play by play text streams with family members. Additionally, she was passionate about following the sports interests of her children and grandchildren, always going the extra mile to be their number one fan! 

In her professional life, she had a humble beginning with AT&T, but advanced to a bank manager where she oversaw accounts with millions in the bond market; her exceptional customer and leadership skills contributed to her promotion to area bank manager over several branches in Illinois. Her successful career was not to be overshadowed by the lifelong friends she made at work along the way. She will be missed by all!

She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Zimmerman; her father, Russell (Bo) Prince; her step mother, Neva Prince nee Weston; and her husband, Gary N. Lewman. She is survived by her brother Jeb Prince; her three children, Kevin Stewart Lewman (spouse, Kathy Lewman nee Logush), Kurt Neil Lewman (spouse, Nancy Lewman nee Vollmer), and Julie Elaine Paul nee Lewman (spouse, Joseph Paul); grandchildren, Gary Neil Lewman II (spouse, Amanda Lewman nee Balza), Kevin Michael Lewman (spouse, Ariana Burch), Kyle William Lewman (spouse, Haley Lewman nee Kapp), Daniel Joseph Paul (spouse, Marcy Paul nee Deiwert), Jeffrey David Paul, and Matthew Donald Paul; and great grandchildren; Amelia Grace Paul, Isaac Burch Lewman, Lucas Alexander Paul, Iris Burch Lewman, and Asher Myles Lewman.

A service to honor Judy will be held March 8, 1:00PM-1:30PM Central Time, at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Chapel, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made out to the ASPCA or St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital in memory of Judy.