Judith Lynn (nee Samuels) Van Cleef, 72, passed away on Monday, 
March 9, at the hospice care center in Orange City. She was a 
victim of lung cancer. Born July 20, 1942, in Gratis, Ohio, Judy 
attended West Carrollton High School, West Carroll-ton, Ohio. 
She was predeceased by her mother, Dorothy L. (nee Fairfield) 
Stamper and by her father, Frederick L. Samuels, of Dayton, Ohio. 
She is survived by her husband of 20 years, William D. Van Cleef, 
her son, H.R. "Mike" Schmidt of Cudahy, Wisconsin, two 
grandchildren, Marcus and Kayla Schmidt of Waukesha, Wisconsin, 
an extremely close cousin who will dearly miss her, Bonnie R. 
Romanczuk, formerly of Ormond Beach, and currently of Kingsport, 
Tennessee, and Bonnie's children, Lisa L. Melton of Ormond Beach, 
Florida, and M. Christine MacLean of Melbourne, Florida, and her 
faithful canine, Bandit. She also has four step-children and a 
host of friends and acquaintances throughout Volusia County. Judy 
moved to Florida in 1971 from Dayton, Ohio. During the 1970s, 
she extensively traveled the world, visiting the United Kingdom 
and most of Europe. She also toured South America and many other 
destinations. For several years, she owned and operated the Office 
Bar in South Daytona. Along with her husband, she did 
long-distance trucking for a period of four years and drove 
18-wheelers all across the United States for Empire Express 
Trucking Lines in Memphis, Tennessee. She was very active in the 
Holly Hill chapter of the Eagles, where she once served as 
president. She was also a member of the Daytona Beach VFW Post 
1590, as well as the Holly Hill American Legion. Judy wishes her 
passing from lung cancer to inspire others to quit smoking. Per 
her wishes, Judy's remains will be cremated and interred in her 
birthplace of Gratis, Ohio, where her parents and grandparents 
also have their final resting place. Plans are pending for a 
memorial service to honor her life, which will be held at VFW 
Post 1590, during the week of March 16. Check with the post for 
the exact time and date.
Published in Daytona Beach News-Journal on Mar. 11, 2015 

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