Irene Norbits

1928 - 2016

Mother of Williamsfield Woman, Irene Norbits, age 88, Peoria Heights, passed away at 2:08 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, surrounded by her daughters. She lived with kidney failure since Nov. 2006, but in the end, it was her loving heart that failed her.

The only child conceived and born to Cecil August and Beulah May (Duvall) Schmidt, Irene was born on Nov. 3, 1928, in Peoria. Irene was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church from its beginning. She enjoyed working on their garage sales, and was a member of their Alter and Rosary Society until she could no longer participate. She also belonged to the Catholic Womens League.

Irene married Frederick Joseph Norbits, of Peoria, at St. Thomas, on May 7, 1949. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1998. She is survived by their children, Cynthia Irene "Cindy" Reynolds (husband, Stanley Rybolt) of Williamsfield, Frederick Jr. of Peoria Heights, Donald William (Sandra) of East Peoria, Linda Susan (Christopher) Marchand of Chillicothe, Judith Marie Norbits of Hilliard, Ohio, and Michael Anthony (Marilyn "Diane") of Sevierville, Tennessee. Four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter as follows: Cindy's sons; Roger E. Taylor Jr. of Peoria, his bio-daughter Courteney Beckman and her daughter Elliana, both of Davenport, Iowa. James Joseph "Joe" (Nikki) Taylor of Bloomington, and his daughter Abbey Aleece Taylor (and her mother Jennifer) of Monmouth; Daniel Joe "Dan" (Dedra) Midlam, and their sons, Cole Frederick Midlam and Raulin James Midlam all of Columbia, Missouri; and Judy's daughter, Tasha Marie Norbits of Hilliard, Ohio. Also surviving is a special niece, Mary A. (Stephens) Hall; and Sue Wyss Smith, a special friend and daughter of Irene's lifelong friend, Phyllis.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil in 1976 and Beulah in 1988; and great-grandson, Dakota James "Kody" Taylor (Joe and Jennifer's son) March 26, 2015.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary in Peoria, and half hour before the Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Peoria Heights on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at 11 a.m. by Father Paul Stark SJ. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Irene's name, to the St. Thomas the Apostle Church building fund or the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund,CIMKF.org

The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Kouri (her primary care physician) and Dr. Gordon James (her nephrologist,) and their staff for the loving care and concern for her over the years. It is thanks to you all, that momma made it for so long.

From the bottom of my heart,

Thank you! Love you momma, I will see you on the other side.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.