Judith Ann "Dearworth" Liefer

Judith A Liefer, 86 of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, formerly of Carterville, Illinois passed away at 12:42 am, Sunday, March 15, 2026 surrounded by loved ones who will miss her dearly.
She was born October 29, 1939 in Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois to Harry Dearworth and Irene (nee Dufrenne) Dearworth. She grew up in Prairie Du Rocher with her three siblings.
She married the love of her life, Oliver Liefer on December 26, 1959 and spent the first several years of their marriage in Germany where Oliver was stationed as a member of the US Army. They were blessed with 60 years of marriage until Oliver's passing on November 21, 2020.
Judy was a homemaker and later in life after raising their five children, she worked at The Southern Illinois Newspaper and ended her career at WSIL TV 3 in Carterville, Illinois.
In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid Cardinals fan and enjoyed antiquing and going to yard sales with her grandchildren where she was adept at finding items the grandchildren thought were priceless treasures. She enjoyed visiting with her friends and neighbors and made everyone feel they were the most important person she was spending time with that day.
Judy was a faithful member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church in Herrin, IL where she had been a member of the church choir for many years.
Survivors include her five children; including- Mike (Tammy) Liefer of Chester, Illinois, Mary (Mike) Ivie of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Becky (Patrick) Bell of Portageville, Missouri, Ron (Amy) Liefer of Chester, Illinois and Joe (April) Liefer of Herrin, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren- Erin Liefer, Preston Liefer, Anna (Andy) Luke, Adam (Karis) Ivie, Abby (Zach) Ferguson, Macie Hoggard, Mallory (Ethan) Fugate, Sarah (Jake) Michael, Laura (Andrew) Gehrlein, Brian Liefer, Ava Liefer,Mackenzie (Josh) Hay, Braxton Liefer and Grayson Liefer ; thirteen great grandchildren; brother- Bob (Jane) Dearworth of Cabot, Arkansas; sister in-law- Arlou (Cliff) Papenberg of Red Bud, Illinois and special friends, Lisa and Tom Tarrants from North Carolina as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother- Bill Dearworth, sister- Betty McHenry, brother in-laws- Robert Liefer and Phil McHenry and sister in laws- Doris Liefer and Dorothy Dearworth.
The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 20, 2026 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church/ 316 West Monroe Street/ Herrin, Illinois, 62948. Father Mark Reyling will officiate. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to McCluskie Funeral Home in Herrin.
Memorial donations are suggested to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church/ New School Fund and will be accepted at the church or may be mailed to McCluskie Funeral Home/ 201 South 12th/ Herrin, Illinois 62948.
For more information please visit www.mccluskiemillerfh.com or call (618) 942-2020.