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Judy J. Tyler of Creston, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 82 on May 12, 2026.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, at the First United Methodist Church in Creston. Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery St., Creston, is in charge of services. Rev. Jodi Rushing will officiate the service. The body will be cremated and a private burial service will be held at a later date.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, May 18, at the funeral home in Creston. Memorials may be made to the Creston Animal Rescue League and the Creston Area Food Pantry.
Judy, daughter of Donald and Betty Johnston, was born September 7, 1943, in Des Moines. She graduated from Creston High School in 1961, where she was a cheerleader and band member. After graduation, she moved to Des Moines and worked as a stenographer and receptionist for Look Magazine.
In 1963, Judy and Phil were united in marriage in the Methodist church. Their marriage thrived for 62 years as they worked together to make the world a better place. Judy’s patience, grace and ability to always see the best in others strengthened their marriage through every season of life. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, laughter and love.
Over the years, Judy enjoyed working with the ISU Extension Office, then as a legal secretary for Kenyon & Kenyon PC and the Iowa Department of Corrections before retiring.
Judy had the gift of artistic talent and enjoyed gardening, decorating and painting. She loved fishing adventures with Phil, family and friends and could out-fish anyone in the boat. Cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes was a favorite pastime. She also enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and mahjongg with her girlfriends, making apple dumplings with the Gang and spending time with dear friends whom she considered family.
Judy was, and forever will be, such a blessing — not just to her family, but to everyone who had the joy of knowing her. She carried a light and joy that filled every room and touched everyone around her. Judy greeted every day with love, gratitude and a song in her heart. Whether through a warm hug, a beautifully decorated home or a game that brought everyone together, Judy had a gift for making people feel welcomed and loved.
Her family was the center of her heart and the focus of her life. Guided by a deep faith in God, Judy lived with joy, gratitude and a servant’s heart, always striving to set an example of love and kindness for those around her. Nothing brought her more joy than being “Grammy.” She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was deeply intentional in the way she loved them — always creating joy, games, traditions and lasting memories together.
Judy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Phil of Creston; sister Jean Johnston Harper of Boone; six grandchildren: Quin (Lacey) of Indianola (Hudson, Miles, Carver, Scarlett), Zachary (Sarah) of Glenwood (Oliver and Scout), Gavin (Lauren) of Omaha (Rose), Cameron (Molly) of Omaha (Ava), Olivia Tyler and fiancé Zach Becker of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Rees Tyler of Story City and sister in-law Judy Eklund of Afton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Johnston, her sister Melody White, brother and sister-in-law Winston and Bonnie Tyler of Lenox and brother-in-law Dale Eklund.
Judy set an example for all of us in how to live life — with joy, patience and a youthful, playful spirit that continued to inspire everyone around her.