Judith Ann Schmaltz

Judith Ann (Collins) Schmaltz, 81, of Wilbur, passed peacefully from this life in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 22, 2025, while in the care of Franciscan Hospital in Mooresville. She was born on May 31, 1943, in Beech Grove to the late Francis Wayne Collins and Helen Berniece (Wilkins) Laughlin. The oldest child of 5, and an Army brat, her family frequently moved around, and Judith attended Shortridge High School. Born to be a nurturer, she was tasked with the responsibility of helping raise her younger siblings, earning her the nickname “Momma Jude”. Marrying at a young age, Judith was driven to be self-supportive, securing her first job at the Blue Ribbon restaurant as a car hop. She later worked for Bruning Paint where she was the Union Rep, and finished her career at Queen’s Group, dedicating 26 years of service and deservingly retiring in 2005. She met the love of her life, Jim Schmaltz and the pair were united in marriage on February 29, 1984. They packed their bags and moved away from the hustle and bustle of city life, settling in Wilbur. Now the wife of a talented musician, Jim and Judith attended many Blue Grass Festivals, traveling the circuit, and hosting parties every Labor Day and on Thanksgiving after dinner was finished. A true matriarch, Judith fulfilled the role as not only a devoted mother, but as a father as well. She was known to take in anyone in need of assistance, never turning loved ones away, and fed all people who were hungry. Headstrong, she built a world of love and light and lived life on her own terms. She enjoyed bird watching, loved animals, especially dogs, and was a master gardener, canning the fruits of her labor, then bartering her goods to accomplish things that needed done around the house. An extremely talented and crafty woman, Judith knitted, crocheted, and hand-crafted beautiful quilts. Frugal yet giving, she was financially savvy and always in charge. Tiny yet mighty, she was a real spit fire and will be deeply and forever missed by all who were blessed to know her. Along with her parents, Judith was preceded in death by her husband, James Schmaltz; granddaughter, Deanna Ridell; and siblings, Michael, Patrick, and Stephen Collins, and Deborah Rivers; along with her stepdaughter, Rita Gray. She leaves behind her children, James Barr (Rhonda) of Plainfield, Teresa Gray of Lewis, Kenneth Barr (April) of Martinsville, Bruce Barr of Martinsville, and Melissa Barr of Martinsville; step sons, Jim Schmaltz (Cindy) of Monrovia, Johnny Schmaltz (Dawn) of Monrovia, and Michael Gray of Avon; nephew who was like a son, Shawn Laughlin of Greenwood; grandchildren, Jamie Jines, Jacob Barr, Ricky Adams, Amanda Burden, Katie Burgess, Lillie Rainey, Ryan Barr, Theo Barr, Morgan Storm, and William Wright; great grandchildren, Maya Domagalski, Melanie Marsh, Zoey Adams, Emerson Burden, Jazzlynn and Freyja Adams, Russell, Emma, and Payton Wright, and Reznor and River Storm, Gavin, Berkley, and Maverick Barr, Andrew Jines, Logan, Flynn, Maren, and Gwen Burgess; and great great grandchild, Lucy Mae Marsh, with another on the way. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 11:00am until a Celebration of Life Memorial Service beginning at 1:00pm. Pastor Keenan Steinway will officiate, and burial will follow services in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Momma Jude’s memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Judith Ann Schmaltz

May 31, 1943 - May 22, 2025