Norma Monge

Norma Jean Monge Pekin, IL Naples, FL

Norma Jean Monge, 81, of Pekin, IL, died September 20, 2008 in Pekin. Born November 12, 1926 in Pekin to Albert Thomas "Bert" and Eva Delight (Crafton) Elliott, she married Robert Benjamin Monge on February 16, 1947 in Pekin. He died on February 16, 2008 in Pekin.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Virgil Elliott; and one sister, Margaret Garls.

She is survived by two sons, Thomas R. (Cynthia) Monge of Sun Valley, ID and Randal D. "Randy" Monge of Orcas Island, WA; one daughter, Melanie J. Monge of Oregon City, OR; seven grandchildren, Robert B. Monge II of Ketchum, ID, Alexander P. Monge of Boise, ID, Carmen B. (Joe) Bizak of Hawaii, Patricia D. (Joe) Brenner of Valdosta, GA, Jessica J. Halstead of Iowa City, IA, and Jackolyn J. Halstead and Martin T. Halstead, both of Oregon City, OR; and five greatgrandchildren, Madalyn Bizak, Elgyn Monge, Arabella Bizak, Angelina Brenner and Carsten Bizak; and her sister-in-law, Marcia Elliott of Pekin.

Prior to her marriage, Norma worked at Keystone Steel and Wire Company in Bartonville, IL. She later owned and operated Norma's Yarn Shop in Sunset Plaza in Pekin. She also proudly supported her husband's development efforts in Central Illinois with Monge Realty and Investments, Inc.

Her passion was golf and Norma was a member of Sunset Hills Golf Club, Pekin Country Club and Windstar Country Club in Naples, where she and Bob had a winter home. Norma had a love for knitting and collecting dolls. She also was a Chicago Bears fan and a sports fan in general.

She was known as an active community volunteer and philanthropist. In particular, she was a longtime member and volunteer of the Pekin Hospital League. Norma was a 50 year member of First United Methodist Church in Pekin.

She will be missed by her family who will remember her as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will also be remembered as a good friend who was hospitable and enjoyed entertaining.

Her memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245.

To express condolences online, visit www.prestonhanley.com.