Norma Brenbarger, 86, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025 at St. Francis Church in Ottawa with Msgr. Mark Merdian. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Mueller Funeral home in Ottawa.
Norma was born on March 28, 1939 in Ottawa to Charles and Daisy (Lawrence) Schomas. She grew up the youngest of Charles and Daisy’s children. Always trying to keep up with the rest of the west side kids. She graduated from St. Francis and Marquette High Schools. She loved roller skating at the rink in town. She retired from AT&T in Montgomery after 25 years, from driving a school bus for O.E.S for 25 years and as a playground supervisor for Jefferson Elementary. She married and divorced Darwin Brenbarger from Belvidere at St. Francis Church . She was a member of St. Columba and Catholic Daughters. Norma enjoyed doing puzzles and being with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters, Valarie (Cliff) Mahoney of Sterling, Sonya (Rich) Wheeler of Ottawa, Steven (Amy) Brenbarger of Ottawa, Brian (Angie) Brenbarger of Streator; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rose Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Daisy; her ex-husband, Darwin; 19 brothers and sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jo Stewart, Chad Wheeler, Christopher Stewart, Jenna Wheeler, Ellie Pierce, and Kendra Jobst.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jared Stewart, Chase Wheeler, Kassandra Haff, Landry Brenbarger, Cheyenne Brenbarger, and Alex Brenbarger.
Memorials may be directed to the family or the American Heart Association.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433