Norma Usher

CARBONDALE -- Norma Jean Usher, 71, passed away from a short illness at 10:12 a.m. Friday, July 27, 2012, at her beautiful barn in the country surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

Norma was born May 21, 1941, in Cora City to Robert Abraham and Frankie Mae (Jarrett) Hiser.

She was united in marriage to Dale L. Usher on June 13, 1958, in Chester. Dale preceded her in death Jan. 16, 2010.

Norma graduated from Chester High School in 1958.

Norma was a member of University Baptist Church in Carbondale for almost 50 years. She was nursery coordinator for 30 years and had been Sunday school director, general officer and director and became KEYS director in 2002. She had been involved with March of Dimes, a member of Red Hat, committee member Jackson County Wild Turkey Chapter, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a member of PEO Chapter KZ of Carbondale. She was an SIH volunteer, lifetime member of SIH Auxiliary and on the auxiliary board. She was a cuddler in the NICU at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. She was president of Athletic Boosters at Carbondale Community High School, a member of Glendale Grade School PTO and volunteer lunch supervisor, a weekly volunteer in her grandchildren's classrooms at Crainville Grade School and Carterville Grade School.

Norma was co-owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics store with her daughter, Jodi, from 1988 to 1999.

Norma loved working crossword puzzles, taking her family on vacation and spending time with her grandchildren and watching their sporting events.

Norma is survived by a daughter, Karen Winn (Michael) of Ruskin, Fla.; a son, Dale Jr. (Renee Chamness) of Carbondale; a daughter, Jodi Siefert (Jimmie) of Carbondale; four grandchildren, Brody and Bryce Usher and Logan and Kayli Siefert, all of Carbondale; two stepgrandchildren, Gretchen Chesley of Chicago and Brad Winn of Brighton; one sister and brother-in-law, Charlene and Harold Ganer of St. Louis; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Minnie Lou (Hiser) and Ivan Rowley of Pensacola, Fla.; sister-in-law, Kyoko Hiser of Mary Esther, Fla.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Cam and Charlotte Usher of Sebring, Fla.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Collette and Paul Powley of Chester; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Jo and Cletus Hahn of St. Genevieve, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bob and Bill Hiser; a sister, Roberta Dilday; and a son-in-law, George Chesley.

Norma's family wishes to give special thanks to VNA TIP Home Health Care and the special nurses, Holly and Paulette and therapist, Liz; the many caregivers that helped the family through the last four months of her illness; the Rev. John and Marilyn Annable for their friend-ship and pastoral guidance; Rebecca Hicks, for her loving care; members of University Baptist Church and the many friends that visited and family that stayed; Dr. George Kao and Dr. Brian McElheny. Also, a special thanks to Deanna Weisel, Keri Stoodley and Laurie Carver.

Norma loved life and loved to laugh. She enjoyed her friends, old and new. She never met a stranger and was an inspiration to all who met her with her shining smile and positive outlook on life. She was known to her grandchildren as "Mom-mom" and to her grandchildrens' friends as "Norm."

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2012, in University Baptist Church in Carbondale with the Rev. John Annable officiating. Interment will be in McKinney Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, July 29, at the church.

Memorials can be made to University Baptist Church and will be accepted by the Meredith Funeral Home staff.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.meredithfh.com.