Judy A. Haberl

Judy A. Haberl, nee Wittenauer, 71, of Waterloo, IL, died June 14, 2025, in Waterloo, IL. After a six-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease, she passed peacefully at her home in Waterloo, under the loving care of her husband, Chris. She was born on October 3, 1953 in Red Bud, II.

Judy was the second daughter of Eugene and Marlene Wittenauer of Hecker. She was a 1971 graduate of Gibault Catholic High School, and married Chris Haberl on August 9th, 1974. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 9th, 2024. Both Judy and Chris taught at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School for 44 years. They have two children, Jill and John, born on the same day, four years apart.

Besides her love of children and teaching, Judy was an accomplished musician, providing leadership for the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish contemporary music group for over four decades. She was actively involved in a wide range of parish ministries: Pro-Life, Mary and Martha Society, Acts Retreat Program, Roses for Life, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. She provided the music for countless grade school masses and celebrations, as well as the parish 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion services, in addition to directing the junior high choral group. Along with her husband Chris, she directed the Parish Pre-Cana program for 17 years. She also sang for numerous funerals and wedding celebrations. Towards the end of her life, when Judy lost the ability to express herself clearly and play her guitar, her love of music remained strong.

Judy will also be remembered for her ability to organize rummage sales. Her "Kids' Rummage Sale" began as a project for her fifth grade class to support children's charities, and it was a special event in the SPPCS community for over 30 years. She eventually led the Mary and Martha Rummage Sale yearly, and the Gibault Catholic High School Rummage Sale twice a year. Judy loved seeing discarded items go out into the world to help someone else, and she raised over $250,000 with her sales over the years.

Judy was a devoted grandmother of five, and delighted in spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband Chris, children Jill (Joe Steffens) and John (Chiara Juster), and grandchildren Nathan, Kate, Lucy, Patrick, and Sofia, sisters and brother Jacki (Mike)Fisher, Jeanne Steinbrenner, Janet (Terry) Mullarkey, Jeff (Stacy) Wittenauer, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Jerome L. Wittenauer.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School

Visitation:
4 PM to 8 AM Friday, June 20, 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
8 AM to 9:30 AM Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL

Funeral Mass:
10 AM Saturday, June 21, 2025 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, IL
     Father Linus Umoren officiating
Interment will follow at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery in Waterloo, IL