Judith Ann Seiters

Seventy-six years ago on July 8, 1941, Judith Ann Seiters was born to Kenneth and Leola (Phillip) Axelson in Woodstock, Illinois. She was the middle child between her brothers, Bruce and David. She died November 9 2017.



She graduated from Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, received a B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan, and earned an M.A. and PhD from Southern Illinois University.



A lifelong learner and teacher, her first job was as a first grade teacher in Cicero, Illinois. She also was a reading specialist in Cache, Oklahoma, where the majority of her students were Native Americans.



She worked for the Clinical Center at Southern Illinois University for thirty-five years, starting as a graduate assistant, then as a coordinator of reading for the Center, and finally as director for the Center for fifteen years until her retirement.



On August 31, 1963, she married Dan Seiters, making him one of the happiest and luckiest men on earth for fifty-four years. Dan often said--and meant--"I was an absolute genius when it came to marriage, doing it absolutely perfectly the first time.



Judy had a boundless capacity for love, giving it freely and unconditionally and in return receiving it from others--her son Damon and daughter-in-law Julie Stephens, her brothers and sisters-in-law Bruce and Bernice Axelson and David and Shirley Axelson, and as wonderful a crew of loyal friends as a person can have from across the country and in Southern Illinois. She earned and deserved this love. Love, spirit, wit, good humor, and joy. That was Judy.



Judy is survived by her husband Dan, her son Damon (Julie) of Las Vegas, and her brothers Bruce (Bernice) of Elgin and David (Shirley) of West Chicago. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.



Her family and friends join hands with Dan, Damon, and Julie in recalling her smile, her laugh, and a love of life that touched the hearts and filled the souls of all who knew her.



In his book Being a Dad is Weird, Ben Falcone wrote: "Judy Seiters is the wisest woman I know." That pleased her immensely. And we all agree with Ben.



Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday November 13, 2017 at G. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale.  Visitation will be on Monday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.  Memorials can be made to Jackson County Human Society, Carbondale.  If you would like to share a story or memory of Judy please visit www.meredithfh.com.