🏠 » Genealogy » Faulkner family

Compiled and written by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
Cousin of Judith Ann Fancher Hatch
The contents of this website, including images and photos, may neither be copied nor otherwise used or posted elsewhere without explicit permission. Citing this page
© Kimberli Faulkner Hull

Judith Ann Fancher was born on 8 July 1942 in Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois to Frances M. Faulkner and Leonard E. Fancher.¹ Judy spent her childhood with her parents and sister, Susanne, in the Chicago area.² Judy’s mother, Frances Faulkner Fancher, died in 1951 in Chicago when Judy was only 9.³

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Judy and Susanne attended Hirsch High School in Chicago and both were members of the Glee Club.⁴

While in high school, Judy visited Germany with her stepmother, Maria Schuller Fancher. Judy recalled the trip in March 2019:

“Germany is one of my favorite countries since my stepmother was from there. She took me there for five weeks when I was a junior in high school. Maybe some time we can go there together. I would love to take you to southern Germany, in the alps.  The towns there are so much different from the big cities and are filled with hundreds of years of history.”

– Judy Hatch, 21 March 2019, as told to Kimberli Faulkner Hull

When asked about growing up in Chicago, Judy stated…

“I do miss many things in Chicago and have many fond memories of growing up there. The things we did and places we went.  I remember swimming at the 79th Street beach where the American Canoe Association had a small building where we stored some of our canoes.  We would not only go swimming, but get the canoes out and go out by the breakwater and fish for perch.  They were great.  I also remember going with some friends smelt fishing.  They are really small fish, but when prepared right, they taste really good.”

– Judy Hatch, 1 January 2019, as told to Kimberli Faulkner Hull⁵

Military and law enforcement career

Following high school, Judy joined the United States Air Force and after completing Women in the Air Force (WAF) training, was assigned to a unit of the Military Air Transport Services at Travis Air Force Base in California.⁶ Judy served in active duty from 1961-1962.⁷

Judy’s military career continued for two more decades, as she served in the Air National Guard from 1972-1992.⁸ When Judy joined the Guard Reserve Services in April 1972, she was the first enlisted single parent.⁹ Judy’s awards and decorations included the Air Force Commendation Medal w/OLC; National Defense Service Medal w/BS; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/OLC; Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/OLC; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal w/ 5 OLCs; Air Force Longevity Service Award w/4 OLCs; and Air Force Training Ribbon.¹⁰

While in reserves, Judy attended the Cook County Sheriff’s Training Academy and was a top graduate in 1973.¹¹

When asked about her time in the sheriff’s department, Judy replied…

” I miss being a deputy sheriff for Cook County.  I had a lot of fun being a deputy, serving warrants, and making some interesting arrests.  After I would make an arrest, the first words out of the mouth of the detainee were “You sure don’t look like a cop!”  I’m not too sure just what a cop is supposed to look like, but I guess that was to my advantage.”

– Judy Hatch, 1 January 2019, as told to Kimberli Faulkner Hull¹²

Personal life and retirement

In 1962, Judy married George Allen Hatch in Mariposa County, California.¹³ Two sons were born to the couple, Geoff and Randy.¹⁴

Judy spent the majority of her retirement involved with veterans and trying to solve the issues veterans face. In 2011, she was recognized as Outstanding Veteran of the Week for her help in the veteran community.¹⁵

Judith Ann Fancher Hatch died at the age of 79 on Christmas Day 2021 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.¹⁶ A memorial service will be held on 26 January 2021 at Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV), North Phoenix. ¹⁷ Her ashes will be interred at the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a later date.¹⁸

Endnotes

1. Birth date and location told to the author by her cousin, Judy Fancher Hatch.

Also, U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, Phoenix, Arizona, Judith A. Hatch, birth 8 July 1942.

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2. As told to the author by her cousin, Judy Fancher Hatch.

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3. Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Deaths, Frances M. Fancher, 01 Oct 1951, Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Address: 8224 Woodlawn Ave. Age: 41. Married. Occupation: Housewife. Birth: 10 Oct 1909, St Louis, Missouri. Parents: Charles Faulkner and Lora Swafford. Spouse: Leonard J. Fancher.

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4. ‘58 Maroon, Hirsch High School (Chicago, Illinois : Senior Classes, 1958), pages 36, 40, 56-57, Judith and Susanne Fancher.
– page 36, juniors, S. Fancher
– page 40, sophomores, J. Fancher
– page 56-57, Glee Club 1 photo, row 2, 5^th from left, Judith Fancher
– page 56-57, Glee Club 2 photo, row 4, 3rd from right, Susanne Fancher

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5. Judith Fancher Hatch to Kimberli Faulkner Hull, email, 1 Jan 2019; privately held by her cousin, Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

Also, Judith Fancher Hatch to Kimberli Faulkner Hull, email, 21 Mar 2019; privately held by her cousin, Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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6. “Hirsch Grad Ends WAF Training, Airman Judith A. Fancher,” news article, Chicago Daily Calumet (Chicago, Illinois), 14 Jul 1961, p. 5 , col. 5.

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7. “Judith Hatch,” Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (https://avhof.org/members/membership-directory/jhatch/).

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8. Military Women’s Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery (https://womensmemorial.org/), charter member 434426, MSgt Judith A. Hatch.
– Service Dates: Air National Guard 1972-1975; Air National Guard 1975-1990; Air National Guard 1991-1992
– Memorable Experience: In April 1972 I was the first single parent to be enlisted in the Guard Reserve Services.
– Awards and Decorations: Air Force Commendation Medal w/OLC; National Defense Service Medal w/BS; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/OLC; Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/OLC; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal w/ 5 OLCs; Air Force Longevity Service Award w/4 OLCs; Air Force Training Ribbon.

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9. Ibid.

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10. Ibid.

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11. “Top Graduates, Judith Fancher and Pete Devalle,” newspaper article and photo, News Journal (Chicago, Illinois), 18 July 1973, p. 10, col. 1.

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12. Judith Fancher Hatch to Kimberli Faulkner Hull, email, 1 Jan 2019; privately held by her cousin, Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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13. California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1960-1969, p. 7668, George A. Hatch–Judith A. Fancher, 19 May 1962. Marriage: Mariposa County. Registration: Solano County, no. 259, state file no. 52276.
Groom: George A. Hatch, age 29
Bride: Judith A. Fancher, age 19

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14. As told to the author by her cousin, Judy Fancher Hatch.

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15. “Ladies’ Duty: Making Sure No Vet is Forgotten at End,” newspaper article and Judith A. Hatch photo, Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), 30 May 2006, p. 11, col. 1.

Also, “Non-profit Needs Money to Send Packages to Troops, Judith A. Hatch, Outstanding Veteran of the Week,” newspaper article, Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), 21 May 2011, Z3, p. 17, col. 1.

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16. As told to the author by Judy Fancher Hatch’s son.

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17. Ibid.

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18. Ibid.

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Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, author, “Judith Ann Fancher Hatch,” Cool Adventures
( https://cooladventures.com/genealogy/judith-ann-fancher-hatch/ : posted 2022).

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