Norma Jean Neal

September 22, 1926 - August 6, 2021

Norma Jean Neal September 22, 1926 – August 6, 2021 Norma Jean Neal was born on September 22, 1926 to Lois (Walker) and Thomas Baumgartner in Charleston, Illinois. She graduated from Charleston High School in the Class of 1944. Norma was married to Johnnie Neal on July 1, 1944. Two children were born to that union: Robert and Faye. She worked as a secretary and did clerical work. Norma worked at the Coles County Treasurer’s Office for some time where she worked with ladies who became good friends. Her main career, however, was being a housewife, a caring mother, and a loving grandmother. Norma was very proud of her family, every new baby born was the “cutest baby she’d ever seen” and every toddler was “the smartest!” She loved sharing stories about her family. Norma also loved reading, sewing, cooking, and having coffee with a special group of friends. Norma believed in God and her prayer time was a very important part of her life. She started each day with devotions and ended her day reading the Bible and praying. If Norma knew you, be assured that she had prayed for you. She is loved and missed by her children, Robert (Jeannie) Neal, and Faye Wiley; 5 grandchildren: Tom (Michelle) Neal; James (Crystal) Neal; Jerry Wiley (Kathy Cloud); Jeff (Kaleigh) Wiley; Jolene Wiley and fiancé Michael Monthei; 12 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Winona Shepherd, nieces, nephews, and many friends. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, and brother, a granddaughter, and a great-great-granddaughter. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Midwest or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home. Interment will take place at a later date in Ashmore, Illinois. The funeral service will be live-streamed on the Slininger-Schroeder Facebook page and can be accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/SliningerSchroederFuneralHome Online condolences can be left at www.sliningerschroederfuneralhome.com Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.