Norma Jane Page – Ewing, IL

Norma Jane Page, of Ewing, Illinois, passed this life and entered her eternal home on March 26, 2022, at 2:00 a.m. at Franklin Hospital with her family by her side.

Norma was born December 21, 1930, to Ralph Marcus Smith and Serena “Pearl” Carlton Smith in Gary, Indiana. She married William “Thurmond” Page on June 29, 1951.

Together Thurmond and Norma enjoyed 57 years together building their family farm until he died in 2009. She was owner/manager of the H & R Block franchise in Benton for 42 years. Norma was named Franklin County Farmwife of the Year in 1978. Norma was active in the 4-H as a member and a 4-H Club Leader. She was a member of Benton First Free Will Baptist Church, charter member of the Macedonia Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #1028; and assisted with the summer lunch program at the Benton Ministerial Alliance.

Norma was the third oldest of nine children. Those surviving include Robert C. Smith (Lorene) of Royalton, Joyce Thomas (Bob) Thomas of West Frankfort, Linda Akerman (Dr. Lou) of Silverdale, WA, Jack Smith (Frances) of Benton, and sister-in-law Virginia Smith.

Norma is survived by her five children: Robert Ray Page (Janice) of Benton, Jean Ann Chamness of West Frankfort, Jane Ellen Page of Mt. Vernon, Patricia Lynn Wilson (David) of Benton, and John Kendall Page (Tanya) of Benton.

Sixteen grandchildren survive: Robert “Brandon” Page of Chesterfield, MO, Bradley Thomas (Monica) of Benton, Ashley Kern (Travis) of Thompsonville, Dr. Allison Schumacher (Dr. Charles) of Effingham, Garrett Thomas (Meghan) of Highland, Curtis Wilson (Kristen) of DuQuoin, Sarah Hutchcraft (Gideon) of Pinckneyville, Brice Wilson of Benton, Jacob Page (Stephanie) of Benton, Quinton Wilson of Benton, Austin Thomas (Michelle) of Carbondale, Emalee Watkins (Jeremy) of Benton, Emily McKinney of Christopher, Erin Page of Bluford, Kelsey Page of Benton, Logan Page of Benton.
Twenty-four great grandchildren: Holden Hutchcraft, Isaiah Sphere, Makaya Thomas, Madelynn Hutchcraft, Nathaniel Kern, Aaron Thomas, Liberty Thomas, Dayton Wilson, Sylvie Schumacher, Addi Sphere, Jakson Page, Brody Thomas, Jace Thomas, Reed Schumacher, Gentry Wilson, Phoebe Page, Katherine Kern, Enslee Watkins, Vivian Page, Elise McKinney, Brayliee Thomas, Jeremiah Watkins, Grady Thomas, and Eliana McKinney.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William Keith Page (infant son), Timothy Chamness (grandson), Ronnie Thomas (great grandson), Mary Schwind, Fay Krapf, and Martha VanDyke (sisters), and Ralph E. Smith (brother).

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 29, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist Church, 1208 E. Bond St., Benton, IL. OES rites will begin at 1:45. Funeral services begin at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Harlen Johnson and Rev. Phillip Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery, Macedonia, IL.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, 302 S. Main St., Benton, IL 62812 or First Free Will Baptist Church, 1208 E. Bond St., Benton, IL 62812.
A special thank you goes out to Jane for her dedicated care given to Norma over the past year and a half.
Online condolences can be made to the family, or to share memories of Norma; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com