Mark Judy

1954 - 2025

Mark Judy

October 25, 1954 - October 5, 2025

Memorial services for Mark Evan Judy, 70, of Blue Grass, Iowa, will be 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. Family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Artesian, S.D., at a later date. Mark passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Clinton, Iowa. He leaves a huge gap in many lives. He was humorous and witty, a master of jokes, storytelling, and numbers, a quoter of quotes; all will be greatly missed. Always generous, his organ donations will benefit over 200 individuals.

Mark was born October 25, 1954, in Mitchell, S.D., the son of Raymond and Marion (Stafford) Judy. He was a graduate of Forestburg High School and of Huron College, where he played basketball for one year and got his BS degree in Criminology. He married Mary Jane Hart in 1976 in Huron, S.D. He later married Deborah (Wren) Stillwell on October 24, 2009, in Silvis, Ill.

After college, Mark proudly served as a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper until 1985. He then worked as an insurance agent and regional manager for American Family Insurance in South Dakota and later in Iowa, and as a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investing, and Wells Fargo, retiring in December 2019. Raised on a farm and never losing that passion, he was a welcome help during harvest season. He was also a "gifted" euchre player and enjoyed playing other card and board games with family and friends.

Mark was active in his community, serving as a volunteer fireman in Tripp, S.D., President of the East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club 2001-2002 and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in 2002. He currently served as the Buffalo Township Clerk, a voter-elected position he was proud of, as President of the Hickory Hills Home Association, as a member of the South Dakota Highway Patrol Retiree Association, and as a lifetime member of the NRA.

Mark leaves behind a close fellowship with his retired trooper buddies, as well as a huge circle of dear friends. He had a special group of armchair coaches who interactively coached while they watched the Hawkeyes or Indiana Fever. Mark was thrilled when the new streaming service provided him with full access to his Minnesota Twins and Vikings games. Mark lived life fully; despite his recent health challenges, he remained optimistic and determined to live by Jimmy V's motto, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." A special thank you to his compassionate and encouraging therapists who helped him with his recovery and motivation in walking again.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah (aka Susie); children, Tiffany Judy, Winston-Salem, N.C., Jason Stillwell, Davenport, Iowa, and Angela (Clint) Maher, Eldridge, Iowa; grandsons, Reegan Maher, Ryder Maher, Hunter Stillwell McCann; sisters, Ann (Don) Schellpfeffer, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Nancy (Lenny) Hinker, Fedora, S.D.; Lois Quam, Sioux Falls, S.D.; sister-in-law, Teresa (Bo) McDowell, Moline, Ill. and brothers-in-law, Mike (Deb) Wren, Aurora, Colo., Bill (Shirley) Wren, Phoenix, Ariz., Bob Wren Park View, Iowa, and Christopher (Leslie) Wren, Phoenix.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Janice; and brother-in-law, Dick.

Memorials may be made to the QC Honor Flight, the Jimmy V. Foundation, or to Wounded Warrior.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com.

Van Hoe Funeral Home