Judith Vestal

Longtime Independence resident, Judith Christine (Theel) Vestal, 70, passed away at Labette Health on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021.

Judy was welcomed into this world on April 17, 1951 in Topeka, Kansas to Myron and Donita (Girdler) Theel. She attended the Zion Lutheran School until the 8th grade, then graduated from Independence High School in 1969. Shortly after high school, Judy married Terry Werner. The two welcomed their son, Matthew. They later divorced. She then married Steve Vestal and was greeted with her second child, Amanda. They later divorced. Judy worked at the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier for 29 years until retiring. After her retirement she went to work at Zion Lutheran Church as a secretary. Judy loved to tend to her cows, who were more of pets, play with her dog, Breeze, read books and watch her favorite soap operas.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Myron and Donita Theel and her brother, Mark Theel.

Her memory will carry on with her children, Matthew Werner of Independence, Amanda Cook and husband, Chris of Fort Scott, sister, Kathy Sutton and husband, Glen of Shidler, OK, and grandchildren, Maddi, Emma and Asher Cook of Fort Scott. The family will greet friends at Potts Chapel on Sunday, November 7th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Funeral services will take place at Zion Lutheran Church in Independence on Monday, November 8th at 10:00 am., with burial immediately following at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in Judy’s name to Zion Lutheran School. To leave the family a special message of condolences, please visit, www.pottsfuneralhome.com.