Reverend Sr. Judy Yunker OSB passed into eternal life on November 28, 2025, at home, surrounded by her Benedictine Sisters. She was born to Thelma and Frank Yunker on Dec. 10, 1940, in Evansville, Indiana. She attended St. Benedict’s Grade School, Academy Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, entering the monastery there following graduation. In the 1960’s she taught elementary and high school in the USA, Guatemala and Peru. She earned a master’s degree in humanities from Indiana State University in Terre Haute. In 1978, she and Sr. Eileen Schepers joined three other Sisters from the Ferdinand community who were working in a mission in Floyd County, KY.

In the 1980’s Sr. Judy worked at Mountain Comprehensive Care and as Dean of Mountain Christian Academy. Following several years as a dependent monastery of the community in Ferdinand, in 1993 the Floyd County Benedictines gained independence, later transitioning into an ecumenical monastery in 2008. Judy joined the Episcopal Church in 2010 and in 2011 was ordained as a deacon. In January of 2012 she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, assigned as a part-time pastor at St. James Episcopal Church in Prestonsburg, KY.

Sr. Judy and her previous service dog, Lisa, served on the Floyd County Rescue Squad for about ten years. She retired as pastor of St. James in December of 2024 but remained active with Fishes and Loaves food pantry until her health began to fail in the fall of 2025.

Rev. Sr. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Frank Yunker; her brother John; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Yunker; and her great niece Leah Hagedorn. She is survived by her brother, Phil Yunker of North Carolina; her sister Debbie Hammerle, husband Steve of Detroit, MI; her sister-in-law Martha Yunker; many nieces, nephews as well as great nieces and nephews; her monastic family at the Dwelling Place Monastery, Martin, KY; and her faithful service dog, Izzy.