Dolores Ruth Norviel

Dolores Ruth Norviel, 85, of Mattoon, formerly of Lerna, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at 9:12 a.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at St. John''s Hospital, Springfield.\r\n\r\nVisitation will be on Saturday, December 22, 2012 beginning at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ray Roberts at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938; burial will be in Janesville Cemetery immediately following.\r\n\r\nDolores was born February 23, 1927 in rural Johnston, Illinois, the daughter of James E. and Sylvia Starwalt Jenkins. James passed away one month prior to the birth of Dolores; Sylvia later married Orval R. Grisamore, who was a wonderful father to Dolores.\r\n\r\nIn 1947, Dolores married Kenneth Eugene Norviel; they celebrated 64 years together prior to Kenneth''s death in 2011. Surviving are Kenneth and Dolores''s three children, Sandra Jo (William) Jones of Mahomet, Linda Kay (Albert) Hass of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and James Victor (Tonya) Norviel of Mattoon. She leaves six beloved grandchildren, Gregary James Renshaw, Beau Ashley Renshaw, Amanda Lorraine Palmersheim, Douglas James Hass, Rachel Jo Ireland, and Inga Renee Enyart, as well as nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many cousins she held close to her heart.\r\n\r\nDolores was preceded in death by her parents and brother, James Berteen Jenkins, who died in infancy. \r\n\r\nDolores spent many childhood hours at Orval''s grocery store, growing up with good friend Bernard deBuhr, who''s father''s Feed and Seed store was next door. She worked at Warner''s Office Equipment, Kent Lumber, and as an assistant to Dr. Amos Powell, DDS. She was a member of Weight Watchers for over forty years and encouraged others to reach their goals. She retired as Postmaster of the Janesville Post Office, where she shared her love of reading by loaning books purchased at auctions to those in a town with no library. Dolores had a great sense of humor and once joined the Lerna elementary school children''s Halloween parade through town, then was the only participant whose identity could not be guessed by teachers or students, including her own children! An excellent seamstress, she passed her love of sewing and crafting on to her daughters. She and Kenneth enjoyed traveling and hosting the grandchildren for a long visit each summer. Dolores was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Lerna, and deeply appreciated the fellowship of its members. \r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the church. \r\n\r\nShe will be greatly missed by family and friends who valued her wisdom, strong faith, and the power of a positive outlook. \r\n

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Dolores Ruth Norviel

February 23, 2027 - December 18, 2012