PLEASANT LAKE — Judith A. Burson, 73, passed away after a year-long battle with cancer on September 1, 2015, at her home. She was born on February 20, 1942, to Mary E. (Simons) and Eldor F. Gerken. Her formative years was spent in Styker, Ohio. She was reared by her mother and stepfather, Harold Peugeo. She graduated from Stryker High School in 1960. Upon completion of cosmetology school, for over 21 years she lived and raised her children in Bryan, Ohio. In 1980, Judy completed her vocational teacher education certification at the University of Toledo. It was during this time that she and Bill met at the university. Judy taught high school vocational cosmetology at Four County J.V.S. in Archbold, Ohio, from 1980-1985 and at The Vanguard J.V.S. in Fremont, Ohio, from 1985 until her retirement. She was an excellent teacher who loved teaching and her students, who in-turn admired and respected her. She was a member of several Ohio and national education organizations and associations. Judy and her husband, William Burson, were married in 1983 and subsequently made their home in Perrysburg, Ohio, where they lived for 15 years. During this time they also maintained a summer home at Clear Lake, Indiana. Judy retired in 2000, when she and Bill relocated to Steuben County. They built their "dream" retirement home on Goose Neck Lake, near the Village of Pleasant Lake. She loved living in the area and over the years made many friends in the community and at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Bill; a daughter, Teresa (Terry) Bodenbender of Put-in-Bay, Ohio; two sons, Mark (Lupe') Bowers of Angola and Mikell (Debbie) Bowers of Kendallville; three stepchildren, Rochelle (Todd) Menningen, Susan Angle and Matthew (Angie) Burson, all of the Columbus Ohio metropolitan area; two sisters, Ruthanna (Wayne) Gerken Nofzinger and Georgia (Jim) Gerken Grube, both of Stryker, Ohio. Judy was the grandmother of four, Jon Bowers of Wayland, Michigan, Jerica Bowers Daft of Montpelier, Ohio, Justin Bowers of Toledo, Ohio, and Alexander Bowers of Kendallville; stepgrandmother of 12, Thomas Menningen, Tristan Menningen, Randy Menningen, Brooke Angle, Trent Angle, Garret Angle, Lance Angle, Silas Burson, and Asa Burson, all of the Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area, Brock Bodenbender of Cleveland, Ohio, Joe Bodenbender of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and Eric Bodenbender of Liberty Center, Ohio; and two great-grandchildren, Juniper Daft of Montpelier, Ohio, and Jaxson Bowers of Wayland, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and stepfather. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3364 Golden Lake Road, Pleasant Lake, Indiana, 46779, where Judy was an active and beloved member. Officiating at the memorial service will be Pastor Tamra Gerber of Mt. Zion UMC and the Rev. Rick Pettys (retired) of Houston Texas. Memorials in her name can be given to The Burson Youth Camp Endowment at Mt. Zion UMC. Interment will be at a later date at the Burson Cemetery, Shade, Ohio. Johnson Funeral Home, Hudson, Indiana, is in charge of arrangements. To sign an online register visit www.dalejohnsonfh.com Judy's life and memory will live in the minds and hearts of the her students, friends, family, and husband, all of whom will sorely miss her. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful one" Psalms 116:15.