Judith L. Westerheide, 73, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2013, at her residence in Bellbrook, Ohio, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mildred Hamlin, and her husband, Joseph. She is survived by her son, Mark Westerheide, and his wife, Donna, of Mansfield, Texas and her daughters, Linda Loxley, and Lisa Westerheide of Beavercreek. She lives on in her family, including her three grandchildren, Katherine Westerheide, Erin and Matthew Loxley; her brothers, Thomas, Joel, and David Hamlin, her sisters-in-law, Ardis Trigg, Shirley and Janice Hamlin; her sisters, Carol Brodbeck and Janet Watson, and her brothers-in-law Thomas Brodbeck and David Watson, along with numerous nephews and nieces.

Born in Dayton on Nov. 4, 1939, to Earl and Mildred Hamlin, Judy graduated from St. Joe's in Dayton, Ohio and married her husband of 47 years, Joseph L. Westerheide.

She attended Sinclair Community College and Wright State University, becoming very active in the Miami Valley aerospace defense industry. She most recently worked for Defense Research Associates (DRA) as a security officer/office manager. She also worked for Litton Aerospace Corporation, Systems Research Laboratories, and Enterprise Engineering during her career.

She was very active in the National Aerospace and Electronics Conference (NAECON) and especially the Association of Old Crows (AOC), a professional organization that furthers the aims and purposes of electronic warfare.  She was a member of the Kittyhawk Chapter of the AOC for 35 years. Her passion for her work lives on in the Chapter's "Judy Westerheide Kittyhawk AOC Service Award," dedicated in her honor. She served on the National AOC Board of Directors for six years and for two years as the National Secretary on the Executive Committee. 

Judy received the AOC's National Lifetime Achievement Award (the pinnacle of the Association's awards), and a special National AOC Board of Director's award in 2012. Additionally, she owned and managed rental properties, serving on the boards of several homeowners associations.

Judy's vibrant sense of adventure and feisty personality didn't stop at her professional life. She was an instrument rated airplane pilot (IFR) who flew her own plane, a Cessna 172-N9292H, for over 25 years. She was an active member of the Ninety Nines Association of Women Pilots-All Ohio Chapter and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association. Now she is flying again with her husband Joe in the "unrestricted confines" of heaven.

A good friend and avid entertainer, Judy enjoyed throwing parties, playing cards and cooking for her loved ones. She always looked her best and enjoyed spending time at her condo in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. She was a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Her family and friends will miss her dearly, while always remembering her fondly. It was an indescribable privilege to have her in their lives. 

The family wishes to thank the doctors and caring nurses of Hospice of Dayton.

Friends and family will be welcome at the Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek, on May 20, from 4-8 p.m. There will also be a viewing at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster, on May 21, from 9-10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster. The Rev. Fr. Tom Schmidt will be the celebrant and interment will be in St. Augustine Cemetery.