Judy Stearns, age 74, from Bloomington, Illinois, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal. A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to mass at the church.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Normal. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington are assisting the family with arrangements.
Read more: https://www.kiblerbradyruestman.com/obituaries/Judy-Stearns?obId=43631949
Judy was a great alderman for the City of Bloomington and a dear friend I will miss.
God bless Judy and her family
Deepest Condolences. She sincerely tried. God bless her.
Judy was the best. Definitely one of the best (if not the best) all time alderman to serve on Bloomington city council Small in stature, big in heart. Fought to do the right thing for all. Surely St. Peter has already welcomed her in through the Pearly Gates of Heaven as she awaits all other good souls to join her. God bless Judy and her family. A truly kind soul.
Judy was a special lady that served with her whole being. We need more Judy’s today. My sympathy to her family.
Very sorry to learn of Judy’s passing this morning. Randy, you have our deepest sympathy.
I met Judy when I was living in Bloomington and she was running for my alderman for the first time. Her campaign slogan was “if you have concerns, call Judy Stearns.” I definitely had concerns so I called Judy Stearns. I was shocked when her reply to me was to stop by my house and meet my family personally. I sensed right away that she wasn’t your typical politician. She genuinely cared about my family and how she could best represent us on Council. We quickly became good friends.
Judy truly believed that one person could make a difference and her life reflected it. She wasn’t content to sit back and complain. She actually faced the problems of government head on by running for public office and she paid a price for it with many personal attacks on her character. I found all of it so unfair because those who engaged in these cheap shots just didn’t know the Judy my family and I knew. Judy genuinely cared about your opinions even when they disagreed with hers.
On two different occasions Judy called on me to try to get me to run for public office. I sad no to her offer in the strongest terms. The thing that stands out about all that for me, was Judy’s view of government. She didn’t see it as the powerful elite running things. She believed in individuals making a difference by standing up and being counted. I concluded that I could make a bigger difference as an engaged citizen than I could as a Bloomington City Council member. But, it was Judy and her example that has made me a better citizen. I’ve since spoken out many times on a wide variety of issues when I lived in Bloomington and now in Normal. Every time I do, I think of Judy’s example and her encouragement that this is what responsible citizens do. We don’t just show up and vote (some of us don’t even do that). We don’t just sit back and complain. No, we get engaged with the process and however frustrating it is; it is OUR government. Judy would remind me time and again, our elected officials work for us and they need to hear from us.
Most of all, Judy’s public service was rooted in a deep, deep love for our city and its people. She spearheaded the effort to have a Korean War memorial in Miller Park to honor, not only her dad, but others who fought alongside him for the cause of freedom.
I’m sorry for her passing, but may her tribe increase. She was a great person.