Judith Baalman
Meppen | Save
Judith Elaine Baalman, 84, of Meppen, IL, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026, at home surrounded by family.
Born on April 12, 1942, in Brussels, IL, she was the daughter of Raymond and Dorothy (Jacobs) Eberlin.
After graduating from Brussels High School in 1960, she worked at Mercantile Bank & Trust in St. Louis, MO until returning home to marry her high school sweetheart Ronald Marvin Baalman on September 15, 1962, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brussels, IL. Together they would enjoy 58 years of marriage until his passing in 2021.
A loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, niece and friend, she was a dedicated homemaker. She loved decorating her home for the various seasons and made it a special place for family to visit for holiday gatherings and special occasions.
After raising four children with her husband, she went on to open her home to several others as well. She spent many years as a babysitter, not only for her grandchildren and nieces and nephews, but for other local children. She was known for having the best toy room ever.
She loved thrift shopping and going to yard sales, going to country music shows, tracking her family’s genealogy, visiting and talking to her girlfriends, playing bingo, coloring books and going on vacations. But seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up and attending their games, events and activities or seeing them visit always warmed her heart.
She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Meppen, IL. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, David Eberlin and a sister-in-law, Margaret (Tepen) Eberlin.
She is survived by four children: Craig (Lois) Baalman, of Jerseyville, Mark (Robin) Baalman, of Meppen, Kelly (Tim) Bick of Batchtown and Chad Baalman of St. Peters, Mo.; by eight grandchildren: Nathan Bick, Trent Bick, Beth (Jeremiah) Buerke, Emily Baalman, Lucas Baalman, David (Abby) Baalman, Jason (Morgan) Baalman and Mary Baalman; by eight great grandchildren: Jackson Buerke, Sophie Buerke, Abel Baalman, August Baalman, Lynlee Bick, Everett Baalman, Annie Baalman and Avery Baalman; by one brother, Larry (Anne) Eberlin; and beloved nieces and nephews Jason, Tara, Kristen and Adam.
The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Meppen with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary School in Brussels or family’s choice.
Online condolences can be made at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Gress, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home
