Waltraud Berta “Judy” Oswald Meeks Lusk, age 85, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
She was born September 26, 1940, in Regensburg, Germany, the daughter of Charles and Anna (Wietsma) Meeks. Judy came to the United States with her parents as a young child. She was united in marriage to John Edwin Lusk Sr. on July 26, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio, and together they were blessed with 64 years of marriage until his passing on August 12, 2022.
She traveled with John while he worked on the pipeline and in 1968, they moved out to the family farm in Flora where they raised their two children, making years of precious memories together. Judy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and a devoted member of the Rebekah Lodge for many years, having served as Treasurer, President, and Noble Grand. She had worked as a first responder and took great pride in being the very first woman to serve as an EMT for the Clay County Ambulance Service. She later retired from the Clay County Hospital billing department.
Judy had many hobbies that brought joy to her life and those around her. She loved playing Yahtzee with her best friends, Joan and Bill Pearce, and enjoyed spending time working on puzzles and playing board games. Judy also found happiness in traveling, gardening, sewing, crocheting, and playing cards. She was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and rarely missed a chance to watch her beloved team play.
In her more recent years, Judy especially enjoyed traveling to Branson to attend shows with her sister, Suzie, and her cousin, Sarah. She had a special passion for dogs, particularly German Shepherds, which
held a special place in her heart. Judy was a caring, compassionate, and generous woman, known for her warm heart.
She is survived by her daughter: Joannie Thompson (Dave Stanley) of Flora; son: John (Wendy) Lusk of Mesa, Arizona; 5 grandchildren: Tiffany (Matt) Devore of Bradenton, Florida, Dustin (Jennifer) Thompson of McKinney, Texas, Samantha (Heath) Grubb of Knoxville, Tennessee, Andrew (Lola) Lusk of Mesa, Arizona, and Timothy (Rikki) Lusk of Mesa, Arizona; 9 great-grandchildren: Chloe York, Maddie York, Chase Devore, Ella Thompson, Nolan Thompson, Kaden Thompson, Hunter Grubb, Charlotte Grubb, and Ryan Lusk; 2 sisters: Beverly (Gary) Zimmerman of Morton and Suzie Taylor of South Carolina; nephews: Scott (Stacey) Zimmerman of Morton, James Zimmerman of Morton, Richard Taylor of Georgia, Kenny Taylor Jr. of North Carolina, and Charlie Reeves of Minnesota; her beloved companion, her little Shih Tzu, Sassy; and several other extended family members.
She was preceded in passing by her parents; husband; son-in-law: Bill Thompson; brother-in-law: Kenneth Taylor.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Gene McAllister officiating. Entombment will follow in Bloom Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Growls & Meows Veterinary Clinic in Cisne for the benefit of their spay and neuter program, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
