Judith Ann Kehl

Judith Ann Kehl (nee Barnes) passed away at age 90 on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Centerville, Ohio. Predeceased by her husband, Richard B. Kehl, parents Woodrow Tribe Barnes and DeEtta Loree Barnes (nee Ice) of Albany, Ohio, and brother Timothy R. Barnes of Athens, Ohio, she is survived by her daughter Wendy (Al), son Mark (Catherine), grandsons Daniel and David (Alexis), great grand-daughter Wrenley Judith, nephew Richard, cousins, and many friends.

Born and raised in Albany, Ohio, Judy graduated from Albany High School, Ohio University (OU), and earned her Nursing degree at Maryland’s Prince George’s Community College. She met her future husband Richard while playing French horn in the OU marching band. Judy and Richard raised their family in New York, Alabama, California, Maryland and Ohio, while he was an officer in the US Air Force. Judy orchestrated their family moves and deeply valued the friendships she made at each new assignment and in her retirement years.

Judy enjoyed summer clerical work at McBee’s in Athens, Ohio, and after receiving her OU degree she taught high school chemistry and home economics for the Glouster Ohio School District and was an adult education instructor and substitute teacher in California. Judy was also an accredited and licensed Registered Nurse, Certified Perioperative Nurse, and Certified Nurse Operating Room. She served on medical center surgical teams in several states and was a Red Cross Nurse volunteer in military hospitals.

Beyond her work in education and medicine, Judy had diverse interests and volunteer activities. Through the years she was an Athens County Extension 4-H project judge, a school room-mother, and a Scouting leader. An accomplished seamstress and quilter, she exhibited quilts in Athens, Dayton, and Centerville area quilt shows. Her Ohio ancestral roots inspired her to collect primitive country antiques, a hobby she enjoyed with her husband who was a master woodworker and carver and together they presented educational programs on American handicrafts. Judy was a talented musician who played piano, the French horn, and sang in US Air Force chapel choirs. She was a voracious reader, engaging storyteller, and avid Jeopardy fan. Her curiosity about people and places inspired travels with her husband and family.

Judy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Springboro and the Albany United Methodist Church, as well as the Albany Alumni Association, the Phi Upsilon Omicron Home Economics Honorary, the Association of Operating Room Nurses, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Nurses, the Ohio Historical Society, the Ohio Valley Quilters Guild, the International Military Wives Club, and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) Society of Antiques Collectors

Judy was warm, loving, and caring, talented, creative, and wise. She was beloved by her family and friends, respected in her community, and gave the best Grandma hugs.

Judy’s family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Bethany Village, WPAFB Medical Center, Senectum Medical Group, Ohio Living Bethany Hospice, and Touching Hearts of Dayton for their exceptional care and compassion.

Memorial donations may be made to the Athens County Public Libraries, 95 West Washington Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764. Please indicate that the donation is for Wells (Albany) Public Library in memory of Judith Ann Barnes Kehl.

Private burial arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home, Athens, Ohio. You may sign the online guestbook or leave the family a message of sympathy at www.ehwfh.com.