Judy Cheryl Barber

Judy Cheryl Barber was born on August 28, 1944, to Howard and Dorothy Radech Burkhart in Davenport, Iowa. Judy was raised in Davenport and was a 1962 graduate of Davenport West High School. Judy was united in marriage to Dale Barber on November 27, 1971, in Rock Island, Illinois. Judy died peacefully in her sleep at The Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf on Thursday, May 15, 2025, following an extended illness. Her husband Dale and his sister Carol Madsen were with her when she passed.

Weerts Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. As per her request, she has been cremated and there will be no public services. Inurnment will take place at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Scott County.

Following graduation from Davenport West, Judy studied liberal arts at Blackhawk College and Marycrest College for two years. She later took additional coursework in economics and accounting at Saint Ambrose College and completed eight courses through the American Institute of Banking.

Judy enjoyed a career in banking for over 35 years. Her positions included teller, bookkeeper, internal auditor, assistant cashier, consumer lender, branch manager, and vice president and commercial lending officer. She also had responsibilities in commercial credit analysis and marketing activities related to business development.

Judy was known for her community involvement throughout her working years. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce and served as President of the Chamber in 1993. She was the first woman member of the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce Trail Blazers Community Ambassadors group. She served as Treasurer of the Citizens for River Boat Gambling Committee when the referendum for approval of gambling was held in Scott County in 1989. Judy was active in the Pleasant Valley Community School District where she served on the Finance Committee for a building bond referendum in 1990 and served on the Technology Advisory Committee 1989-1990. She was the City of Bettendorf Treasurer 1986-1988, Bettendorf Development Corporation Board of Directors 1993-1996, and was a member of the Jobs for the Quad Cities Committee in 1992. She served six one-year terms on the Scott County condemnation Jury 1989-1995 and was a member of the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Place, Inc. in 1995. She was the Commencement Speaker for the Class of 1993 at Scott Community College.

Judy and Dale enjoyed many vacation trips to Door County, Wisconsin, and other locations throughout the United States. Her leisure activities included golfing and boating in her earlier years, reading, playing Words with Friends, dining out, playing the dominos game Chicken Foot, and visiting with friends and family.

Judy is survived by her husband of over 53 years Dale, her brother Steve (Dixie) Burkhart, sister-in-law Janie Burkhart, her sister-in-law Carol Madsen, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Joe Burkhart, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Lloyd and Betty Barber, her brother-in-law David Barber, her great nephew Matt Anderson, and many dear feline friends who she looks forward to meeting up with when she crosses the “Rainbow Bridge”.

We would like to thank the second-floor North staff of the Kahl Home, the 6th floor and emergency room nurses, aides, and doctors at MercyOne Genesis East for the care they gave Judy. Special thanks to Doctor Stephen M. Sorenson and the nurses and aides at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House who cared for Judy during her final days. They all showed great compassion for Judy and provided much needed support for Dale and Carol.