Norma Atwater

Norma Sue Atwater, 68, of Rushville, passed away at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Bickford Cottage in Macomb.

She was born on October 28, 1952, in Rushville, the daughter of Tommie and Twila M. (Thomas) Orr.  She married her best friend and soulmate Robert Atwater on July 1, 1971 at the Free Methodist Church in Rushville.  He preceded her in death on July 30, 2009.  Her family takes great comfort in knowing that they are reunited again.

Surviving are two children Roy Atwater and fiancée Melissa Grafton and Amy Downs and husband Chad all of Rushville, two grandsons Christian Downs and Ethan Downs, three brothers Phillip Orr and wife Mary Lou, of Rushville, James Orr of Mt. Sterling, Dennis Orr and wife Julie of Rushville, sister Rita Gray and husband Kenny of Rushville, brother-in-law Robert Wade of Canton and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister Mary Ann Wade.

Norma was a Homecoming Queen and 1970 graduate of Rushville High School.  She began her career as a medical transcriptionist at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, where she worked for 13 years. She later worked at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, from 1988 until her retirement on June 18, 2018.  She then worked as a teachers’ aid at Open Arms Preschool in Rushville.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rushville.  She enjoyed spending time outdoors especially gardening and mushroom hunting.  She was very artistic and enjoyed painting.  She and Bob loved to travel.  Every year she looked forward to the Illinois State Fair.  She also enjoyed the Schuyler County Fair and often was an exhibitor of painting, artwork, baking and gardening displays.

Norma enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  She was always everyone’s biggest fan, especially her grandsons.  They were the light of her life and would always attend any event that they participated in. Norma had a huge heart and a smile that could light up a room.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with Pastor Stacy Tomich officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested the First United Methodist Church. A recording of the services will also be available following the service on the funeral home website