Judith Marian "Judi" Fields

A funeral service celebrating the life of Judith Marian “Judi” Fields, age 78, of Newark, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, at the First Baptist Church in Heath with Pastor Wallace McLaughlin officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Friends may call from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. prior to the service at the church, 525 South 30 ^th Street in Heath.

Judi was born June 6, 1944 in Camp Shelby, Mississippi to the late Joseph William and Violet Marie (Grubaugh) Hohl. She passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Altercare of Thornville.

Judi was a 1962 graduate of Newark Catholic High School, married Ralph F. Fields and started a family. Several years later, Judi attended Muskingum School of Nursing and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), focusing on geriatric care. During her career she was employed at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Columbus, Newark Healthcare Centre, Pataskala Oaks Nursing Home, Arlington Care Center, and the Licking County Aging Program, from which she retired. She was formerly employed as a cashier at Arrow Department Store and Walmart in Heath and served on the wait staff at Kendal at Granville, and cleaned homes part-time.

Judi was a member of the First Baptist Church in Heath where she was a member of the quilting group. A breast cancer survivor, Judi stayed active and had quite a variety of hobbies and interests including sewing (making wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for the family), refinishing furniture, and looking for antiques at garage sales and flea markets. She collected lighthouses and loved taking vacations to the ocean. Judi was an excellent homemaker and loved her family dearly, and especially enjoyed attending her kids and grandkids sporting events. An excellent cook, her family relates that she was especially known for her peanut butter ice cream pie, butterscotch pie, and fried green tomatoes, but anything that she cooked was delicious. She participated in chili cookoffs and won awards for her white chicken chili. Judi enjoyed working in the yard and caring for her flowers, painting ceramics, and loved decorating, especially for the holidays. She planned several large class reunions and family reunions and really enjoyed the experience. She was always thinking of others and was known to send out Christmas and birthday cards to many people. An avid reader, she enjoyed books by Nicholas Sparks and also books about Princess Diana and loved the movie Titanic. She liked listening to music and her special favorite artists were Celine Dion, Josh Turner, and Elvis.

She is survived by a daughter, Amy R. (Gregory A.) Pletcher of Newark; son, David C. Fields of Hebron; grandchildren, Matthew G. (Grace) Fields, Lucas F. Fields (fiancée Diana), Alexander M. Pletcher, Andrew A. Pletcher, and Victoria I. Pletcher; sisters, Theresa Annette (Hohl) Cook, Nancy Glenellen Hohl, Joan Michelle “Joanie” (Hohl) Fitzpatrick, and Deborah Rosita Garey; a brother, Floyd Lewis "Mav" Garey II; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph William “Bill” Hohl, Sr.; a sister, Sondra Josephine “Soni” (Hohl) Moran; and a nephew, Michael William Fitzpatrick.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Heath, the American Diabetes Association, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Judi and her family.