Norma Jean Merkel

Norma Jean Merkel, age 99, passed away on January 15, 2026, at Allure Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Mt. Carroll. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., prior to the service. Burial will follow at Chadwick Cemetery, in Chadwick, Illinois.

Norma was born on September 28, 1926, in Savanna, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Pearl (Kahler) McCue. She attended Savanna schools, graduating from Savanna High School with the Class of 1944. In 1958, she married the love of her life, Harlen Merkel. One of their favorite pastimes together was bowling, a hobby that brought them many happy evenings and cherished memories.

Family was always at the center of her world, and she poured her heart into caring for those she loved. Her home reflected her gentle spirit, especially through her treasured collection of praying hands. She had pieces of all sizes, shapes, and colors that symbolized her faith and the prayers she carried for others. She loved to crochet, especially making snowflakes, and often welcomed visitors to her home. She could brew an excellent cup of coffee, and her collection of cook books were often put to good use! She loved puzzles, reserving half her dining table for a puzzle in progress, and in the evenings she rarely missed an episode of wheel of fortune.

Norma had a delightful sense of humor and a spark of pride in the little things that made her unique. She often liked to mention that she was born the same year as the Queen, a fact that never failed to bring a smile. She also had a youthful spirit, and well into her late 70s, she could be seen riding her bicycle around town.

Norma will be dearly missed by her children, Selene Seiler, Curtis (Mary) Merkel, David Merkel, Steven (Ida) Merkel, and Matthew Merkel; 18 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Jan Merkel. Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Pearl; husband, Harlen; daughters, Helen (Tom) Pachaha and Gloria (Gary) Randecker; son, Bradley Merkel; a great granddaughter; a great-great-grandson; brothers, Virgil (Betty) McCue and Ralph (Cecilia “Blondie”) McCue; and sister, Mildred (Danny) Etnyre.