Judson (Judd) Earl Lusher

Judson (Judd) Earl Lusher, 86, of Princeton, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Judd is survived by his wife, Ann; his two daughters Lisa (Rick) Hansen and Julie (George) Marankie; grandchildren John Hansen, Kathleen Staton, Haley Bobo, and Marty Marankie; great-grandchildren Nolan Hansen, Mara Hansen, Isabella Staton, Rhett Bobo, and Parker Bobo; sisters-in law Susan Bentz and Elizabeth Lusher, brothers-in law John (Paula) Bentz and Richard (Barbara) Bentz; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and one cousin George (Barabara) Wieland. He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert Sr. and Hilda Lusher; brothers Herbert Jr., Gerald, James, George Richard (infant); and sister Jane Freeman.

A 1957 graduate of University High School in Normal, IL, Judd spent one year at St. John’s Lutheran College in Winfield, Kansas, before earning his bachelor’s degree in English and Speech from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1962. While at Wesleyan, he worked as a journalist for the Daily Pantagraph, with one article published by the Associated Press. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Education and Speech and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration from Northern Illinois University.

He taught English and forensics at Kewanee and Aurora West High Schools, took one year away from education to work for the New York Central Railroad in New York and Chicago in sales and research, and later returned to education as an English instructor and Director of Debate at Ottawa Township High School. He went on to serve as Superintendent of Schools for seven years in Steward, IL and four years in the Eswood School District. In 1983 he and his wife Ann, relocated to Princeton, where he served as Principal of Jefferson Elementary for one year and Logan Jr. High for ten years. Following retirement, Judd coordinated the Bureau County Substance Abuse Program and worked as a trainer and advisory board member for the nationally recognized PeaceBuilders™ program.

A strong believer in volunteer service, Judd was on the Board of Directors, serving as past president and campaign chair for the Bureau County United Way. He was also on the boards of Bureau County Youth Development Coalition, Bureau/Putnam County Community Partners Against Substance Abuse, North Central Illinois Works, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council, the North Central Regional Betterment Coalition, and Youth Service Bureau. He also belonged to and served in numerous organizations including Bureau County Retired Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, Princeton Rotary Club, Princeton Elks Club, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Administrator’s Academy. He was elected to the Princeton Elementary School District 115 Board of Education, where he served for 20 years.

Throughout his career, Judd received many professional honors including Outstanding Young Educator from the I/D/E/A Institute, Who’s Who in American Education, National Principal Award, and Outstanding Educational Achievement Award from the IASCD. He also received the 2010 Rotarian of the Year Award, 2013 Bureau County United Way Volunteer of the Year Award, and in 2022 a twenty-five-year perfect attendance Award from the Princeton Rotary.

Above all, Judd cherished time with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling with Ann, music and live performances, dancing, basketball, current events, old movies, family pets, and proudly being “Master of the Yard.”

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Grant- Johnson Funeral Home in Princeton, IL. A memorial service will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton, IL with Rev. Jessica Boggs officiating. Burial of cremated remains will immediately follow at Oakland Cemetery in Princeton. Cremation Rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be directed to SCA27b Ataxia Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Princeton Rotary Club Scholarship Fund.