Judith "Judy" Anne Demaree, age 86, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025. She was born August 1, 1938 in Fort Wayne to the late Bernard and Virginia (née Parrot) Franklin; the eldest of seven children; Judy graduated from Wawasee High School, Class of '56.
She was the owner of Candelite Restaurant for nearly a decade and retired from her position with the State of Indiana, Allen County Department of Child Services in 2007.
Judy was passionate sports fan, especially I.U. Sports, Chicago Cubs, NASCAR, and women's college basketball and was the official sock darner for the Fort Wayne Komets; she was an avid reader and excelled at crossword puzzles. She never knew a stranger and if you were, you'd soon become fast friends.
Judy married the love of her life, Paul Demaree, on November 24, 1972 in Fort Wayne.
She is survived by her beloved children, Gail (Mike) Firks, Annie Weikart, Tamara Franklin, Dawn (Keith) Wierzba; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson; siblings, Mike (Cathy) Franklin and Toni (Joe) Folds; numerous nieces and nephews; and multiple friends. Judy was preceded in death by her late husband, Paul Demaree; granddaughter, Stacy Firks; and siblings, Linda Alles, Suzanne Klug, Kathy Protsman, and Rick Franklin.
Funeral Service is 1 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne with calling two hours prior. Interment at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne.
Memorial Contributions may be directed to St. Mary's Soup Kitchen Ministries, P.O. Box 11383, Fort Wayne, IN 46857-1383; Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, PO Box 10630, Fort Wayne, IN 46853; or masses.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Demaree family.
