Julia Gail Wilderman

7/17/1935 – 12/28/2022

Julia “Judy” Wilderman was born on 7/17/1935 to Josephine Bertha Wilderman (nee Schwab) and Harold Vernardi Wilderman. She was the firstborn, and sister to Robert and Harold. All three were very close their entire lives.

Judy attended Harris Stowe State Teachers College and then taught for 40 years in the Ferguson Florissant School District at both DeSmet and Parker Road. She loved her career and inspired many others into the field. After retirement, Judy was a devoted caretaker for her mother until her passing in 2005.

Judy loved to read and was a lifelong learner. Judy was passionate about animals. She volunteered at the St. Louis Zoo for more than 20 years until she moved to her beloved farm in Callaway County. She was a long-time member of the National Geographic Society.

Judy was a collector of things that she loved. Jewelry, bears, cardinals, Longaberger baskets, lighthouses, and nutcrackers were a few of her favorite things. She also loved the St. Louis Blues and Cardinals. She taught herself to play the dulcimer and traveled often to attend Dulcimer Festivals throughout the Midwest. She was always the proud owner of a Buick, and a mom to her constant companions Feather, Shadow, and a few other schnauzers.

Most importantly, Judy loved her family and they loved her. She enjoyed Christmas dinners, camping trips and family reunions. She was famous for her toffee bars, easter cakes, and mincemeat pies. We will greatly miss the sparkle in her eye, her sense of humor, love for history, and her warm hug. A strong Christian, we are comforted by the fact that she has gone home to the Lord and the family that have preceded her.

Judy is preceded in death by her mother Josephine Wilderman, father Harold V. Wilderman, and brother Harold H. Wilderman. She is survived by her brother Robert "Bob" Wilderman (Pat), nieces Susan Dudley (Jim) and Patty Miller (Brooks) and great nieces Ashley Pollock (Peyton), Brooke Hereth (Justin), and Katie Dunham (Parker).

A Visitation will occur Friday, January 6, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM with a funeral service beginning at 1:00 at 11101 Saint Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074.

A graveside service will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave, St. Louis, MO 63133.

If desired, expressions of sympathy may be made in Julia's name to a charity of choice or to the St. Louis Zoo.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alexanderstlouis.com for the Wilderman family.