Reasner, Judith

REASNER,
JUDITH HARTZELL
Judith Hartzell Reasner
November 17, 1939
April 9, 2025
Cape May Court House Judith “Judie” Hartzell Reasner lived a life overflowing with grace, service, and creativity. Born on November 17, 1939, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised in Euclid, Ohio, she was the beloved daughter of Donald and Myra Hartzell. On April 9, 2025, Judie passed away peacefully at The Shores in Ocean City, New Jersey, embraced by the love of her family and the legacy of a life well-lived.
In 1957, the course of Judie's life changed forever when she met a young seminary student, Bill Reasner, on a blind date. It was love at first conversation and together they built a marriage and ministry that would span 61 years and stretch across many continents.
Judie's life was one of quiet strength and tireless generosity. As a devoted pastor's wife, she did far more than stand beside Bill – she stood out. Whether she was playing the piano, singing in the choir, leading women's Bible studies, or organizing mission projects, she poured her whole heart into every role she took on. Judie had a servant's heart, capable hands, and a soul that radiated kindness.
After her children were school aged, Judie pursued her passion for education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Glassboro State University and later a Master's in Speech and Language Pathology from Trenton State University. For more than 25 years, she worked as a speech-language pathologist in Middle Township and Mantua Township schools, where she was known for her patience, compassion, and deep love for her students. In 1992, she was honored with the “Humanitarian Award” from the Gloucester-Salem Counties Cerebral Palsy Centeran accolade that spoke volumes about the impact she had on young lives.
Missions were the heartbeat of Judie's later years. Alongside Bill, she served at the Kafakumba Pastor's School in Zambia, where they taught and mentored pastors and their wives. Judie's heart for global ministry was matched by her hands-on dedication raising funds for clean water wells, church buildings, bicycles for pastors, and medical supplies for clinics in the Congo. Judie didn't just talk about making a difference she made one.
Closer to home, Judie was a proud member of P.E.O. for over 50 years, active in Chapter AQ in South Jersey. Her creativity was boundless, whether she was sewing, composing poetry, crafting lesson plans, or dreaming up ideas for church projects and her daughter's classroom. Judie brought joy and beauty to everything she touched.
Judie was preceded in death by her late husband Rev. William S. Reasner, her sisters Carolyn Hanson and Donna Coffey, and her brother Jim Crawford. She is survived by her daughter Georgia Reasner Terlaje and son-in-law Richard Terlaje, her son George Reasner, and countless others whose lives were touched by her love and light.
A celebration of Judie's life will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Radzieta Funeral Home, 9 Hand Avenue, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. Viewing will be from 10:00am to 11:00am. Service will begin at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Cemetery, 416 US 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judie's memory to:
Kafakumba Pastor's School: https://giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/clodo-enrightflightministries
Enright Foundational Ministries, Inc: 1919 Jackson Lane, Port Orange, FL 32128
Journey Hospice New Jersey: https://www.journeyhospicenj.org/contact-us/donate-today/
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: The Reasner Family, PO Box 127, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.
Condolences may also be shared at www.radzieta.com.