Tribute

Judith Elaine McLaughlin Applegate, age 77, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at her home in Grove City, Pennsylvania; she was surrounded by her loved ones. Judith was born at home on March 22, 1945, the second of eight children, to Violet Martha (Baker) and Virgil Ralph McLaughlin. She grew up on the family’s dairy farm in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, where she learned the skills passed on to her from her parents and grandparents, namely farming, gardening, canning, cooking, and sewing. In 1969, Judy married Eugene N. Applegate. The two met while working together at Packard Electric in Warren, Ohio. The couple shared a faith that sustained their loving marriage for nearly 54 years. Judy’s selflessness and generosity were often understated, as she never liked to garner much attention. Even so, she was often behind the scenes, serving and giving to others, especially her family. Though her love for Jesus was her life’s primary focus, her love for her family was a close second. She adored her two children, Renae and Nathaniel, and she could not have been prouder of them and their accomplishments. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, Elizabeth, Johnathan, Joseph, and Tiffany, who added such joy to her life. Judy was welcomed into Heaven by her Savior Jesus Christ; her parents, Virgil and Violet; her brother, Thomas McLaughlin; her mother-in-law, Mildred Applegate; her father-in-law, Idean “Bus” Applegate; her dear sister-in-law Paula Applegate; her beloved pastor Dr. Reverend Lois Lane and many other loved ones. Judith is survived by her husband, Gene Applegate, of Grove City, Pennsylvania; her two children, Dr. Renae Ruth (John) Shawgo of Grove City and Dr. Nathaniel Eugene (Milana) Applegate of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six of her siblings, including her beloved sister, Karen Crytzer, and her much-loved brother, Joseph McLaughlin; four grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Judy’s last selfless act was to donate her body to medical science. She will be greatly missed. A lifelong student of Scripture and a former student of the C.L. Lane Bible Institute in Transfer, Pennsylvania, Judy loved the Bible. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee 37214-0800. A memorial service will be held at Leesburg ECO Presbyterian Church, 1831 Perry Highway Volant, Pennsylvania, on February 17, 2023, from 3:30-5:00 PM. Friends and family are invited to come and celebrate her life.

Friends & Family