Judith (Brockway) Haefner Obituary

Judith (Brockway) Haefner suddenly passed away on Monday morning, July 7, 2025, into the loving arms of Jesus.

Family and friends are invited to visit Saturday, July 12, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. A memorial service will begin at 12:00 pm with Reverend Gail Monsma officiating. A lunch reception to follow at the church fellowship hall.

Judith, known as Judy to her friends and family, was born on February 15, 1941, to Richard and Evelynn (Terrell) Brockway in Paw Paw, Michigan. She lived her entire life in Paw Paw, Michigan.

She grew up on the Brockway farm and graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1958. After graduating from high school, Judy continued to work at the Abstract Office in Paw Paw. Around 1968, she was elected to serve as Paw Paw Township Treasurer, a position she held for over a decade. After serving the township, Judy became an office assistant at the First Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw which allowed her to spend more time with her family. During the late 1980s she was hired by Michigan State Cooperative Extension in Paw Paw as an office assistant where she later was promoted to office manager before retiring in 2005.

On October 4, 1958, she married Royal Haefner, her high school sweetheart. Together they celebrated a life of 65 wonderful years of marriage. They were blessed with two daughters, Deborah and Kimberly, son-in-laws Gary and Christian and granddaughters, Brianna, Sophie and Amelie.

While Judy liked working and helping others, her greatest pride and joy was being a mother to her daughters and being affectionately known as “Nana” to her granddaughters. Judy always found a way to connect with her daughters and was willing to travel to see them and her granddaughters, exemplifying the importance of being with family.

Throughout her life, Judy had a thirst for knowledge and that desire to learn also made her a devoted disciple of Christ and member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw. She served in a variety of roles as Deacon, Elder and a member of committees and commissions. Judy was a devoted student of the Bible.

Committed to her faith, church, family and community, Judy was a beacon of life who also took the time to learn several hobbies such as sewing, weaving, growing vegetables, and planting flowers. She took a horticulture course and became a master gardener. Being able to take different patterns of material, Judy found great enjoyment in quilting where she created beautiful and useful quilts. As a member of several quilting clubs, she attended several quilting retreats to perfect her craft and spend time with fellow quilters. She also was a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Brockway and Evelynn Brockway Hardenbrook; a sister, Sharon (Rudy) Mendoza; and loving husband, Royal Haefner. She is survived by her two daughters, Deborah (Gary) Goodman of Alabama, granddaughter, Brianna (Cameron) McCollum of Colorado; daughter, Kimberly (Christian) Gaedeke and granddaughters, Sophie and Amelie Gaedeke of Plymouth, Michigan and brother, Alan (Jan) Brockway of Paw Paw.

Psalm 146:2 - I will praise the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw and Decatur, PO Box 435, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 or to Wings of God.