Norma J. Mercer

KEWANEE - Norma Jean Mercer, 90, of Kewanee, died at 10:15 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Kewanee Care Home.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with Rev. Dan Wright officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in rural Kewanee. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Boy’s Town.

Norma was born April 2, 1933 in Kewanee, the daughter of Theodore and Katherine (Fesler) Loughe. She married Lloyd Edward Mercer Sr. on June 14, 1953 in Sheffield and he preceded her in death on February 13, 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Mickee Salz, a son, Lloyd Mercer Jr. and two brothers, Vernon and Harvey Loughe and two sons-in-law, Keith Salz and Russell Erickson Sr.  She is survived by her children, Debbie (Kevin) Winter, Jeri Erickson and Theodore “Ted” (Betty “B.J.”) Mercer, all of Kewanee, Penny (John) Erickson Sr. of Sheffield, Terry (Kerinda) Mercer of Galva and Jason “Sam” (Debra) Mercer of Kewanee, a daughter-in-law, Donetta Mercer and her family, twenty grandchildren, Jeremy (Carrie) Winter, Chad (Maggie) Winter, Brian Salz, Jennifer (Terry) Sopiars, Angela Erickson, Russell Erickson Jr., Melissa (Shawn) Mavis, Lloyd Mercer III, Joshua Mercer, Theodore (Jennifer) Mercer Jr., Lisa (Duane) Johnston, Jessica (Shane) Wright, Katie (Jeremy) Buss, Alissa (Kaitlyn) Mercer, Heather Erickson, John (Lindsey) Erickson Jr., Ashtin (Matt) DeClercq, Terry (Dr. Laura) Mercer Jr., Frankie (Sean) Murchison and Jailynn Mercer, thirty-six great grandchildren, Lainee and Cainen Winter, Lexi, Lucas and Myles Winter, Shaeleigh, Evan, Dylan and Baylie Salz, Haelee and Marek Sopiars, Kendall and Claire Roesner, William, Draven and Naomi Crain, Amy Entas, Kirsten, Jaden and Keegan Mercer, Blake, Tyler and Hunter Johnston, Tiffany, Michael, Austin and Tristan Sosa, Adrian and Kara Buss, Eli and Emma Erickson, Brinley, Dawson and Brecklyn DeClercq and Camila and Ava Mercer, two great-great grandchildren, Ethan Kerg and George Shaw V, and two great-great  grandchildren on the way and a sister, Doris Groy.

Norma attended three country schools: East Cambridge, King and Bobtown. She graduated from Kewanee High School in 1953. She worked as a power sewing machine operator for Kewanee Headwear, Boss Glove Manufacturing and Empire Clothing. Also, for 38 years, she drove a Star Courier motor route. She was a member of the Burns Grange, where she won many ribbons for her sewing and had gone to State one year. She loved the American Flag and everything red, white, and blue. She also loved living in the country. She is a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church and enjoyed taking many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren to worship with her. She loved to read and sew and had made many quilts for her family and for benefits. She also enjoyed reading and sending cards. Her joy and fulfillment of life was her faith and her large and loving family.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Kewanee Care Home and to Hospice Compassus in Galesburg for the care and support they gave to Norma.

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