Norma J Monge

PEKIN ~ Norma Jean Monge, 81, of 2300 Sierra Drive, passed away at 12:40 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008 at her residence.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.Survivingare two sons, Thomas R. (Cynthia) Monge of Sun Valley, Idaho and Randal D. "Randy" Monge of Orcas Island, Washington; one daughter, Melanie J. Monge of Oregon City, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Robert B. Monge, II of Ketchum, Idaho, Alexander P. Monge of Boise, Idaho, Carmen B. (Joe) Bizak of Hawaii, Patricia D. (Joe) Brenner of Valdosta, Georgia, Jessica J. Halstead of Iowa City, Iowa, and Jackolyn J. Halstead and Martin T. Halstead, both of Oregon City, Oregon and five great-grandchildren, Madalyn Bizak, Elgyn Monge, Arabella Bizak, Angelina Brenner and Carsten Bizak. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Marcia Elliott of Pekin.Prior to her marriage, Norma worked at Keystone Steel and Wire Company in Bartonville. She later owned and operated Norma's Yarn Shop in Sunset Plaza. 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, Florida, 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 fifty 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 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2008at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Jaye A. Rinkenberger will officiate. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2008 at the funeral home. The family will receive friends following the service at a luncheon at the Pekin Country Club.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, California 90245.