Judy Ann Roeder

Judy Ann Roeder, 78, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026. Judy lived her life rooted in the foundation of Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Even when diabetes reduced her activities and pain became her constant companion, she found her strength and encouragement first from her relationship with God and then her family and friends, whom she loved dearly and was always concerned they knew her love and support.

Judy was born in Carmel, Indiana on April 5, 1947, to Charles and Virginia (McCracken) Michael. She took her role as the eldest of three children seriously, being equally the boss and the caretaker (to both the delight and chagrin of her siblings). While at Carmel High School, Judy met the man who would become the love of her life, Dennis Roeder. Judy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Education. She and Dennis married on August 22, 1970, and were blessed with two daughters, Jessica and Kessa. While Judy would delight first in being a homemaker, wife and mother, she was always passionate about education and learning. When her girls began school, Judy worked at Eastern Hancock Schools and later earned her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Butler University. After she and Dennis became empty nesters, they moved to Greenfield where Judy began working as a school counselor in the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation. Her smile radiated through the halls of Mt. Vernon Schools, as she truly loved working with children and mentoring others in her field. After a fulfilling career, Judy retired from working in the schools but kept her involvement in P.E.O., helping women with education and developing close friendships. Judy continued to pour into those around her with encouragement and support, ever being the big sister and friend to those lucky enough to know her, taking care of her elderly mother, and enduring the ups and downs of life guided by her deep faith and abiding love.

After her first loves of Jesus, Dennis, Jessica, Kessa, and her extended family and friends, Judy loved to knit and create fun and useful gifts for all the babies she knew and experimented with yarns and patterns of various sorts for her girls and other loved ones. Judy enjoyed cooking a variety of recipes (and staples like Wild Rice Casserole), and vicariously gardened and experienced all sorts of science and animal life through Dennis and her daughters as she championed whatever they found interesting. It didn’t take long in knowing Judy to realize her deep love and admiration for Dennis, being heard often saying, “well Dennis said...” or when asked about something outside of her expertise, “just talk to Dennis.” When she became a grandmother, Judy thrived in her second career as the chief cheerleader and snuggler. She knew no greater joy than having her family together, whether in her home for holidays and family get-togethers, cousin retreats, or just sitting on the back deck enjoying the pond and nature while discussing whatever topics those around her found interesting. Judy rarely knew a stranger and delighted in bringing joy to others.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Amy Michael Martin and brother Paul Michael. She is survived by her daughters, Jessica Roeder of Greenfield, and Kessa(Grant) McNaught of Indianapolis, and two grandchildren, Oliver (9) and Hazel (4) McNaught.

Services to honor Judy will be at Crown Hill Funeral Home, Gothic Chapel, 700 W 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, with visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 pm.