Judith Ann Marie (Just) Saale

Judith Ann Marie Saale, age 77, of Alma, Illinois, formerly of Sandoval, Illinois passed away at 8:22 P.M. on Friday, September 21, 2018, at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Illinois.  She was born on December 21, 1940 in Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of the late Julius “Jude” and Anna Mae (DePohtaut) Just.  She married her first love, Charles William “Shorty” Saale on August 18, 1959 in Sandoval, Illinois and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2006.

Mrs. Saale is survived by her daughter, Ann Marie Elizabeth McNeal of Colorado Springs, Colorado; son, Larry Dean Leo Saale of Alma, Illinois; grandchildren, Rachael Hughes and husband Brandon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, George Lee “Jacob” Mascarenas of Kileen, Texas, Phinehas Lee McNeal of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Mariesha Ann McNeal of Jacksonville, Florida; great-grandchildren, Zipporah Hankins, Liza Hankins, Sebastian Hughes, Mia Mascarenas and Luna Mascarenas; brothers, James “Jim” Just and wife Kathleen of Sandoval, Illinois, Pete Just of Mt. Vernon, Missouri and Julius “Butch” Just of Carbondale, Illinois; sister, Janet Lackey of Mt. Vernon, Indiana and numerous nephews and nieces.

In addition to her loving husband of 58 years, Mrs. Saale was preceded in death by her parents; son, Joseph William Saale and great-grandson LeKilleon McNeal.

Mrs. Saale was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Sandoval, Illinois.  She enjoyed the outdoors as she liked to walk and hike and tend to her garden knowing all her flowers and trees.  She also enjoyed looking after her birds, dogs, frogs, rabbits and her kitty, Fluffy.  She was a published poet, an avid reader and writer as she would make up funny and scary stories and write stories for her children when they were younger.  She had an artistic side to her, sketching God’s creations and painting Disney characters on handkerchiefs.  She loved all music and loved to sing.  Mrs. Saale was a good cook and baker as she made everything from scratch.  She would spend many hours canning fruits and vegetables.  She was a very giving person, giving her canned items to her neighbors.  She would mow her own lawn and then continue on to mow her neighbor’s lawns as well.  She never knew a stranger and was known as a “hugger,” hugging people that she just met throughout her everyday life.  She cherished the time she spent with her family, especially taking family trips and picnics and fishing at Carlyle Lake.  She loved her husband to pieces and loved her grandchildren.

Mrs. Saale graduated with Carlyle High School’s “Class of 1959”.  She worked alongside her husband at Saale Shell Station in Sandoval, Illinois and later at Martin Gas Station in Centralia, Illinois.  She was then a custodian at Centralia Sentinel and Taylors Bookstore in Centralia, Illinois.  She went on to receive her CNA certification and worked as a certified nursing assistant at Friendship Manor Nursing Home in Centralia, Illinois.  After retiring, Mrs. Saale volunteered with her son at Centralia Southtown Shalom in Centralia, Illinois.  She has lived in Alma, Illinois for 5 years, previously living in Salem, Illinois and most of her life in Sandoval, Illinois.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Judith Ann Marie Saale will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 1 2018, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Sandoval, Illinois with Father Ben Stern officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in Sandoval, Illinois.  Friends may visit with Mrs. Saale’s family from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 1, 2018, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Sandoval, Illinois.  Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Salle’s honor to the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Sandoval, Illinois and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mrs.  Saale’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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