Judith Ann Forbes

   Judith Ann Forbes, nee Sunderman,79, of Belleville, IL born July 31, 1946, in rural Mascoutah, IL died Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026, at her home.

   Judith was the oldest of Herman H. and Pauline E., nee Koch, Sunderman. Her childhood was spent on a small farm where she learned to love nature and animals, particularly dogs and horses. She was a 1964 graduate from Mascoutah High School. As she grew older, she developed a love of learning and in 1997 earned a BS in Education from SIU Carbondale, IL and in 2003 an MBA from California Coast University. She was an avid sports participant, she spent many years playing volleyball, tennis, and racquetball, as well as camping in the US, Canada, and Mexico. She was a member of the Scott Troopers 4H Club, Shiloh Valley Grange, Belleville Jaycee-Ettes, St. Clair Junior Women, Gamma Chi Chapter, Delta Theta Tau, on the Board of Directors at the Belleville YWCA, the Belleville Zonta, St. Louis and Belleville Gem and Mineral Societies, St. Louis Astronomy Club, Monroe County Genealogy, Waterloo Sister Cities, Stag Retirees Club, and St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah. Judith loved to travel and had visited 49 states and seven countries. She was employed at the Department of defense (DECCO) at Scott AFB, the office manager for the Belleville Parks and Recreation, Assistant Comptroller at Stag Brewery, and worked in the accounting department at Ralston Purina ARS.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Dennis Sunderman.

   Judith is survived by her daughter, Erica Hodge; three grandchildren, Victoria (Nick) Jones, Constance and Elijah Hodge; a great grandson, James Jones with another great grandchild on the way; three siblings, Dolores (Tom) McConnell, Roger (Debbie) Sunderman, Joyce (Mark) Wilhelm; three nieces, Corie (Michael) McKean, Susan and Sarah Sunderman; also survived by numerous cousins and extended family.

   Memorials may be made to S.A.V.E., 3001 Save Rd., Belleville, IL 62221 or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

   VISITATION: Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM Monday, Mar. 16, 2026, at the Espenschied Chapel, 317 N County Rd, Mascoutah, IL 62258.

   FUNERAL: A funeral service will be held at 6 PM Monday, Mar. 16, 2026, at the Espenschied Chapel with Pastor Cherie Hambleton. Private burial will be held in Mascoutah City Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.