Judy Elizabeth Mecum Buchanan, nicknamed Tootsie by a lot of people mainly her dad, 78, of Biggsville, Illinois, died at 6:35 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Monmouth Nursing Home, Monmouth, Illinois. She was surrounded by love in the time of her passing with all her children at her side.
Judy was born July 27, 1946, in Plymouth, Illinois, the daughter of Thelbert Joseph and Lula Belle (Martin) Mecum. She married Gary L. (Buck) Buchanan on June 6, 1965 in Roseville, Illinois. Together they celebrated 39 years of marriage prior to his death on December 15, 2004.
Judy is survived by one son, Wade (Christina) Buchanan of Long Lane, Missouri; two daughters, Dawn Buchanan of Monmouth and Tawnya (Buck Morrison) Rotz; eight grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren with one on the way. Judy is also survived by three brothers, Jim (Marcia) Mecum of Florida, Ben (June) Mecum of Swan Creek, Illinois, and Roger (Diane) Mecum of Grinnell, Iowa; and one sister, Shirley Ann (Raymond) Hastings of Kirkwood, Illinois. Along with her husband and parents, Judy was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and Francis; and two sisters, Wilma and Dot.
While raising the children, Judy worked numerous jobs to help provide for the family, including babysitting and at the same time cleaning wild fresh game ducks and geese for the area hunters, often beginning at 4:00 a.m. In 1985, Judy and Buck moved to Florida. They lived there until 1992 when they returned to Illinois and became snowbirds until Gary’s passing. While living in Florida, Judy worked at Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs. Her last job was at Country Fun in Biggsville. In her younger years Judy participated in numerous tractor pulls and was a natural from the very start and won first and second prize almost every time they competed. Above all she loved her family and enjoyed the friendly confines of her home. She could often be found crocheting or watching television, especially her favorite shows like Family Feud, Price is Right, and all classic tv.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Turnbull Funeral Home, Oquawka, Illinois, with the funeral service following at noon. Rev. James Epperson will officiate. Burial will be at Biggsville Cemetery, Biggsville, Illinois. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
