Judith J. "Judy" Culver

Judith 'Judy' J. Culver
Born in Hazel Crest, Illinois to Bill & Evelyn Locke, Judy completed her set of siblings Linda, Marty, and Paul as the baby of the family. She grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois, Akron, Ohio, and Memphis, Tennessee as her family followed their father throughout his career as a tire salesman with Goodyear. Although she wanted to become a nun in eighth grade, she decided to continue on a secular vocational path and completed her bachelor's degree ineducation from Northern Illinois University. She married Jeff Henkes in 1981 and gave birth to their daughter Mary in 1982 in southern Illinois where she had been teaching in the Catholic schools. They moved back to the suburbs of Chicago when Mary was very young to be closer to their families, and after Judy and Jeff divorced, Judy and Mary moved to DeKalb, Illinois.
Judy began working as a middle school teacher at Genoa-Kingston Middle School, where her co-worker's invitation to a Valentine's Day cross-country skiing date sparked a relationship with the love of her life, Ken Culver. Ken and Judy slowly and carefully built their relationship over the next four years before they finally eloped, marrying in front of the beautiful fireplace at Starved Rock Lodge in Oregon, Illinois. They officially blended their families, and Judy became step-mother to Ken's wonderful daughter Daerielle.
The rest of Judy's career was spent as a beloved middle school teacher at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb. As a teacher, she was highly dedicated to her students and coworkers and enriching their school environment through connections to the community and the broader world. She helped coordinate the Grandparents Club, where middle schoolers were paired with nursing home residents, brought in guest artists to her classroom, and designed special units like the history of ancient Egypt complete with artifacts brought home from her mother-in-law's travels there. She cared deeply for all of her students, encouraging them when they struggled, working with them to build study skills that could help them meet their future goals, and always reminding her students to treat others the way that they would like to be treated.
During this time Judy was involved in many social and community endeavors. As the parent of two very musical children, she helped set up and break down at many a Jazz Choir concert and was a dedicated member of DeKalb Friends of the Arts. At the family's home church, Christ the Teacher Parish, Judy was a lector, a choir member, a confirmation sponsor for adult confirmants, and brought the Eucharist to those who were homebound. After she retired, she joined Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society of women teachers supporting women educators and excellence in education.
Leaving work behind meant she and Ken were able to spend more time enjoying the outdoors together and traveling. Hiking, country drives, walking beaches – and she was a fisherman's wife, so she was a fisherman, too. The two bought a parcel of land in Wisconsin's Driftless Region where they would camp out and enjoy the peace of nature. Later, she established a heritage estate cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for the family to enjoy for generations. The Olympic Peninsula in Washington state was another favorite destination for the pair, yielding beautiful memories as well as countless photographs, interesting driftwood, and tumbled stones.
Judy was a truly faith-filled person, doing her best to live the tenets of her Catholic faith at every age and in every role. Music and concerts were another constant, and she sang and played guitar at church, at home, and with friends. She was a voracious reader of cozy mystery novel series, and Ken loved to surprise her with a new stash every Christmas. She cherished being "Mimi" to her grandchildren, showering them with thoughtfulness, playfulness, and attention.
Maybe more than anything, Judy was kind, with a genuine smile that could light up an entire room. It was difficult not to love her, because she was so congenial and caring. It didn't matter who you were – family, friend, grocery clerk, nurse at a doctor's office – Judy was so pleased to see you, and so grateful for your assistance or presence.
Judy passed away peacefully at home in the arms of her family on November 5th, 2025, after living with Stage 4 bladder cancer for two and a half years. Our lives are far dimmer, but the stars are brighter, and her pain is gone. She will be dearly missed.
Predeceased by her loving parents and her sister-in-law Nancy Culver, Judy is survived by her devoted husband Ken Culver, daughters Mary (Jon) Hawkins and Daerielle (Brian) Balika, and grandchildren Daniel, Jack, and Saelyn. Her memory will also be cherished by her sister Linda (Dave) Whitaker, brothers Marty (Helen) Locke and Paul Locke, brother-in-law David (Karen) Culver, sister-in-law Chris Knowles, her nieces and nephews and their children, many loving cousins, and so many wonderful friends.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, November 12th, from 5-7pm at Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak Street, in DeKalb. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at her home parish, St. Mary Catholic Church, 329 Pine Street in DeKalb, Thursday, November 13th, at 10:30am. Immediately following Mass, there will be a procession to graveside services for internment at Fairview Park Cemetery, 1600 S. First Street. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Judy's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, would be appreciated. Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.