Judith Onofrio Yonke

Judith “Jude” Yonke, 83, of Columbia, MO passed away peacefully on Monday, May 27th with her family by her side. Visitation will be 11am to 1pm on Saturday, June 22nd at Memorial funeral home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia MO with a committal service to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum.

Jude was born February 16, 1941, in Wichita, KS, the only daughter of Louis A. and Romana Costa Onofrio. She graduated from Mt. Caramel Catholic High School in 1959. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Drama from Clarke College in Dubuque, IA, then completed her Masters at the University of Missouri in Columbia. She taught English and English as a Second Language at Hickman High School from 1983 until her retirement in 2002. After the passing of her beloved husband, she spent time traveling to 31 countries, continuing her love of reading and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Thaddeus (Suzanne) Yonke, Matthew Yonke and Louise Yonke (Jason Salem) all of Columbia; grandchildren Thomas (Haley) Yonke of St. Charles and Michael Bhat of Fulton and their mother, Kathy Bhat of St. Charles, Ethan Yonke of Columbia, and Aeryn Yonke of Columbia; a brother, Michael (Wanda) Onofrio of Allen, TX; many nieces and nephews and a loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Richard Yonke, a brother, Louis A. Onofrio, Jr., and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.