March 6, 1939 - May 16, 2010SOUTH BEND - Judith Ann Holtman passed away at home on Sunday, May 16, 2010, at 6:50 p.m. after a 3 1/2 year courageous battle with cancer. She was born Judith Ann Garwood in Jackson, Michigan, on March 6, 1939, to Robert A. and Virginia R. Garwood, and was raised in Michigan Center and Napoleon, Michigan. She was married to John Klingler from 1957 to 1971, and lived in Jackson, Michigan, where her four children were born. She moved to South Bend, Indiana, in 1974 after marrying the late James Ramer. She was employed by the United States Postal Service and Kaywood Products Corporation while living in Jackson. In South Bend she worked for IT Industries and as a bookkeeper for Big C Lumber Company, where she spent most of her working career until retirement in 2005. Judy was an accomplished singer and lifelong Sweet Adeline, and was a member of choruses and quartets in Jackson, Michigan, South Bend, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois. She won numerous awards at regional, national and international levels with the pinnacle award a gold medal for International Chorus Competition with the Melodeers in 2008. Her other interests included gardening, interior design, Weimaraners, and skiing. First and foremost though, she was a dedicated daughter, mother and grandmother. She was fiercely loyal to her family, and was always ready to lend a hand when needed. She cared for her aging parents into her 60s, and was a constant source of ideas and help for landscaping, wallpapering, and painting projects at the homes of her children. Her grandchildren were a great source of joy, and sharing time with them was a priority, especially after retirement. Her home was a hub for family activities, and she also made it a point, even during her illness, to share time with her grandchildren at Twyckenham Pool and Camp Eberhart, and be the number-one fan at swim meets, soccer games and baseball games. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Virginia Garwood, husband, James Ramer, and husband, Lee Holtmann. She is survived by four children, Donald Allen Klingler of Plymouth, Michigan, Laurie Ann (Ronald) Wenger, Lisa Michelle (James B.) Fulton and Gregory Joseph Klingler of South Bend; five grandchildren, Madeline Fulton, Blaine Fulton, Isabelle Fulton and Corbin Fulton of South Bend, and Hannah Klingler of Plymouth, Michigan; two brothers, Jerry (Lynn) Garwood of Brooklyn, Michigan, and Robert (Judy Lynn) Garwood of Jackson, Michigan; and six nieces and nephews. A memorial service to honor Judy's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 21, in Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend. Rev. David Schrader will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday in the church. The Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, is assisting the Holtmann family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Judith Holtmann may be made to Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue, P.O. Box 372, Grand Haven, MI 49417; or to the Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend, IN 46614. Online condolences to the Holtmann family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.