Judy Ann (Bray) Topel was reunited with her husband, John J. Topel, in heaven on May 2, 2024 for their 57th anniversary. It is the ultimate love story.
Judy was born on July 2, 1949 in St. Louis, the daughter of Fred H. Bray and Mary C. (Hilderbrand) Bray. She graduated from Fort Zumwalt High School in May 1967.
On May 2, 1967, Judy was united in marriage to John J. Topel. They started the first two years of marriage in Germany, where John finished his service in the Army. They returned to O’Fallon where they remodeled their first home together.
In 1971, they built their first cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks, which turned into seven lake houses through the years. The lake houses were their families’ “Happy Place” where all your troubles were left behind and unforgettable memories were made. They were ecstatic to pass their lake vibes on to their children and grandchildren where they became lakeheads as well. The Fourth of July weekend was always special because we celebrated the life of Judy. With her birthday being on the 2nd, it was perfect for the Fourth of July weekend. Her birthday weekend was always celebrated with family and friends packed to the core inside the walls of the lake house. Another annual trip to the lake was with her Fort Zumwalt besties, where memories were made, but what happened at the lake stayed at the lake. Judy was the anchor of the memories made at the lake with the planning of the weekend, planning of meals, laundry and then clean-up for the next lake adventure to begin.
In 1977, the Topels moved their family to New Florence, renovating their second home and then together went on to build four more homes in New Florence, where they lived together until John’s passing in 2011. They worked as a team to build a very successful life together.
For years, John and Judy took trips to Texas for the month of January to visit with friends from the lake that were snowbirds during the winter months. Later in life, she shared the month of January with her brother Dale and sister-in-law Barb in Florida, where they took great care of her.
Judy loved life with her family, beloved friends and, more than anything, the time she spent with her grandchildren. The smile on her face with the grandchildren told it all. They were always up to something with grandma being coordinator.
Judy had a green thumb. She found her passion while working at Yardbirds nursery during the later part of her life. She guided people to find the perfect flower for their gardens. She thought of Randy and Sandy like family. Earlier in life she worked as a cook at the Montgomery County R-II schools, where she found a lifetime of friends, but when that first grandchild came along she said adios and babysat for Chase, then Viv, Max and Dylan. Being a mom was also a great accomplishment that she knocked out of the ballpark.
Judy belonged to the Montgomery Saddle Club. The club took weekly adventurous trail rides over the countryside. Her grandchildren were first, but her horses took a close second. The MSC also hosted several rodeos through the years that Judy was a big part of. She was part of the Old Settlers Fairgrounds Association for years where unforgettable memories were made. She was also a member of St. Vincent De Paul committee to help people catch up with their bills, a coach for little league softball, driver for many kids to ballgames, concerts and wherever adventures may take her. She was always a phone call away whenever someone needed a ride. She was a boy scout leader, Brownie’s leader and 4-H leader. In her early years, she and John participated in jeep racing, which formed even more of the beautiful friendships they developed through the years. She loved attending concerts and listening to music of all genres with family and friends. Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA” was one of her favorites, along with any Elvis song.
Something that came natural to her was her faith she had in God, the Son and Holy Spirit. She passed that on to her children and grandchildren. No matter what shenanigans Joe and Julie tried to maneuver to miss Church or Sunday School, she always got us there. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Montgomery City for 47 years. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Church in Cottleville.
She taught her family so many things, but one of the things they cherish the most is to love unconditionally through it all.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Julie K. (Andy) Worsham of Montgomery City; son, John Joseph (Gretchen) Topel, Jr., of Montgomery City; four grandchildren: J. Chase (Kylee) Worsham, Vivian Worsham, J. Max Worsham, and Dylan K. Topel, all of Montgomery City; one great-grandchild, Sutton Worsham; three sisters: Patricia Bobbitt of Wentzville, Brenda Bishop of Chesterfield and Theresa (Bill) Foster of O’Fallon; one brother, Dale (Barb) Bray; one sister-in-law, Mickey (Topel) Kirchner of Moscow Mills; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband, John Topel; parents, Fred H. and Mary C. Bray; in-laws, John and Ethel Topel; two brothers, Joseph Bray and Fred Bray; sister-in-law, Chris Bray; and two brothers-in-law, Don Bishop and Levi Kirchner.
A Catholic Mass will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Montgomery City at 10:30 a.m, with Father Ernest Dike. Interment will follow at the New Florence Cemetery. Pallbearers include Joe Topel, Chase Worsham, Max Worsham, Marty Kirchner, Scotty Bray, Dale Bray, Nathan Daniels and Jessie Foster. Honorary pallbearers are Andy Worsham and Randy Whyte.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Old Settlers Association, St. Vincent DePaul or the Alzheimer's Association, in care of Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, Missouri 63361.
Condolences may be left online at www.schlankerfuneralhome.com.
