Norma Jean (Flagg) Eley, 81, of Terre Haute, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. She was born to Bernice and Frederick Edmund Flagg on June 26, 1934 in Gary, Indiana, moving to Terre Haute with her family as a young adult. She most recently resided at the Springhill Village nursing home. We would like to thank the staff for making Norma a part of their family and providing excellent care for her.
Her husband of 43 years, Willard V. Eley Sr., preceded her in death in 2000. She was also preceded in death by her son, Steven Keith Eley, who passed away in March of 1982; her parents; sister, Georgia Jeffers; and brothers, Charles Flagg and Richard Rukes.
She is survived by her children, Willard Eley Jr. and wife Peggy, Lynda Smith-Miller and husband Chip, and Stuart Eley and wife Jamie, all of Terre Haute; and Charla Jo Stewart of Newburgh and significant other Larry Fagg of Terre Haute. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Willard V. Eley III, Jason (Emilee) Eley, Travis (Gwen) Eley, Eric (Sara) Smith, Lauren Smith, Anthony Eley and Megan Stewart; six great-grandchilden, Noah Eley, Jude Kelly, Preston and Evelyn Eley, and Kirsten and Kristopher Noll; her sisters, Lois Grindle, Francis Joseph, Mildred Ames and Jenny Crowder; and brothers, William Rukes and Herbert Rukes.
Norma was a graduate of Gerstmeyer High School and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She had a varied career working for Merchants Freight, Columbia House and Vigo County Superior Court Division 5, and retired from Vigo Wade Abstract. She was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxiliaries, the Kerman Caldron, Order of Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. Norma had a wonderful look on life and saw a lot of humor in things. She could put a smile on anyone’s face. Her humor and quick wit will be missed. Norma was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan. She enjoyed bowling and bingo but some of her favorite things to do were gardening, playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren. A special quote from her great-grandson Jude, “I love Grandma Norma because she is so funny and she tries not to be sometimes. But she is just so funny, every time!”
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at the Roselawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the funeral home. Norma will be laid to rest with her husband in Roselawn Memorial Park’s Chapel of Memories.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at:
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