Judith "Judy" Harsh, age 78, who found a new life in Howard, Kansas after moving there in 1978 from the Kansas City metro area, passed away on January 19, 2026 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She leaves behind a legacy of a fruitful smalltown life that she never knew she wanted, but once she had it, she wholeheartedly embraced it and never left.
Born Judith Carol Cloe on January 1, 1948 in Kansas City, Missouri, she was adopted days later by homemaker Ida Myrtle "Iva" (Stevens) Cloe and Floyd Michael Cloe, a plumber and the brother of Judy's biological father. She graduated from Kansas City's Westport High School in 1966.
Following a brief marriage to Floyd Crist, Judy met and married Everett "Bud " Starling of Shawnee, Kansas and later had a son, Everett, Jr. and made an impression with her kindness as a stepmother and a good egg. The marriage to Bud ended with Judy fearful and alone with a young son, and needing a fresh start, she found one with Floyd Dale Harsh of Olathe, Kansas, someone she met through a mutual friend. She was initially oblivious to Floyd's interest in her until the friend told her, "Silly, he only hangs around me because he likes you!"
Being fearful of her ex-husband, Judy embraced an opportunity for a fresh start with Floyd, A Vietnam War veteran looking to start over himself. He promised Judy he would take care of her and her young son if she gave him six months to prove his worth and win her affection. She and Floyd were married in 1978. Floyd accepted an offer from Dwight Winn of Howard to join a construction crew, an offer for which he and Judy were forever grateful. A then-trepidatious city girl, Judy, Floyd, and young Everett moved to Howard and adjusted to country living for the first time - cisterns, snakes, farm animals, and all. That six months ended up being much more. Judy and Floyd added a daughter, Melissa, in 1982.
Judy and Floyd worked hard to get by, and Judy ingratiated herself into the community working for Daylight Donuts before eventually following her best friend, Neva Walter as head librarian at the Howard City Library. Judy was an avid reader, a passion she passed on to her children and eventually led to her library work. Talking books helped forge many friendships in town. She later made an impact at the Howard Senior Center, first as assistant cook for Friendship Meals before leading the kitchen for an extended period.
In an excruciating time for Judy and her two school-aged children, she lost both her mother to a stroke and her husband, Floyd, to cancer within two months of each other in 1989. Her mother had moved from Wisconsin to become a Howard resident as well, and Floyd went from diagnosis to death within three months. Judy was helpless as her world changed so quickly. The losses were devastating. The strength and support of friends and Howard City Library patrons were invaluable in helping Judy through the tragedies that weighed heavily on her family in so many ways.
After nearly a year of talking to Oklahoma resident and Walmart workaholic, Glen Parker, over the phone, Judy took and plunge and rescued Glen from Oklahoma in 2008 after dating him for a few months, finding love again in a companionship that lasted over 15 years and ended only with her death. Judy and Glen loved to spend summers at Fall River State Park with Judy finding peace working on a riding mower at the park for years before heart issues led her to scale back her workload. Nearly three years ago, she was given a 50% change of surviving a year thanks to heavy stenosis of three heart valves. She demanded and made more memories before stroke complications claimed her.
Time in nature and with family thrilled Judy to no end. Camping and fishing weren't just recreational pursuits. While lamenting the fact that her son's journalism career kept him across the country, she enjoyed the proximity of daughter Melissa and her family, including Judy's son-in-law Jerry Davis and grandson, Colton Davis. Family camping trips and going to Colton's games were something Judy and Glen enjoyed together. Through it all, she maintained her love of pets, though in recent years a couple of cats and two dogs were a far cry from the menagerie of pets and farm animals Judy raised and enjoyed through the years. Horses, cattle, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, oh my.......... Judy was a familiar face at area auctions, yard sales, and craft fairs, loving unique collectibles and bargain finds.
Her memory lives on through her partner, Glen Parker of Howard, Kansas, daughter, Melissa (Jerry) Davis and grandson, Colton Davis of Burlington, Kansas, and son, Everett Starling of Austin, Texas. Judy was preceded in death by her husband. Floyd Harsh; half siblings, Edith (Bohannon) Davidson and Kenneth Bohannon; aunt, Florence Bohannon; cousin, Wendy Bohannon; ex-husbands, Floyd Crist and Bud Starling; and her parents, Ida and Floyd Cloe.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring at a yet to be confirmed date following cremation and a simple graveside service at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard. Contributions in Judy's name can be made to the American Heart Society and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.
(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)