Judith L. Swartzle

1949 - 2018

Known by thousands of dance students as "Miss Judy," Judith L. Swartzle passed away from cancer on January 22, 2018. She was 68.
The daughter of Rex and Roberta Hoenes, Judy grew up in Union City and graduated from U.C. High School. She was crowned Miss Branch County in 1968 and began teaching dance in Calhoun and Branch Counties. She married Joseph A.
Swartzle from Battle Creek in 1970, and the two resided in Athens and had four children- Brock A. Swartzle, Brandon C. Swartzle, Brady P. Swartzle, and Morgan S. Swartzle (Porter).
Joe and Judy lost Brandon to SIDS in 1976.
Judy continued to operate Miss Judy's School of Dance for decades while also helping Joe and her brother-in-law Chuck Swartzle run Besco Water Treatment. The family lost Joe to cancer at age 41, and Judy raised Brock, Brady, and Morgan on her own.
In the 1990s, Judy moved to North Topsail Beach, NC. She alternated residing in North Carolina and Michigan over the years, continuing to grow her large network of friends and family in both states. She passed on her love of dance to her daughter Morgan as well as her granddaughters Chelsea
Jo, Josie, and Joey, and her grandsons-Simon, Jackson, Lincoln, and Bryce-dutifully attended many dance competitions and recitals over the years.
Loved and respected, Judy lived a full life without regrets. Judy was preceded by her husband Joe, son Brandon, father Rex, and brother Don Hoenes. She is survived by her mother, two sons and daughter and their spouses, seven grandchildren, brother Earl Hoenes, sister Vicki Ingersoll, sister Wendy Craig, and spouse Frank Delia.
Visitation will be held at Wakeshma Community Church, February 3 from 1-3 p.m., with a memorial service at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, her sons and daughter ask that donations be made to Wakeshma Community Church and the American SIDS Institute.
Miss Judy will be lovingly missed and long remembered.