Norval Schumacher

NORVAL ELIZABETH SCHUMACHER, age 99, of Mexico, MO, formerly of Maple Park, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Golden Living Pin Oaks, where she had recently made her home. She was born March 18, 1914, the daughter of William and Hilda (Morsch) Leifheit in Hinckley, IL. Norval grew up on the family farm in the Hinckley area and attended local schools. She graduated from Hinckley High School with the class of 1932. Norval went back to the farm and tended to the daily chores, all the while nurturing the love that had grown between she and her high school sweetheart, Stanley Schumacher. They were united in marriage on September 30, 1936 at Hinckley Evangelical Church, now St. Paul’s Church of Christ. They began their new life together working one of the family farms on Owens Rd. until 1951 when they moved to the Schumacher farm on Perry Rd. Sadly, Stanley passed in 1991, but Norval kept up the family farm. In 2011, she moved to be with her two daughters in Mexico, MO. Norval was raised, baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Hinckley, IL, where she sang in the church choir. She joined Stanley as a member of Pierce Evangelical United Brethren where she also sang in the choir, played xylophone and was Sunday School Superintendent.. Norval was also a member of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, that coincidentally, her father was a founding member. DeKalb County Home Extension and the Pierce United Methodist Women also counted her among their memberships. Norval was happiest when she was surrounded by her whole family. When her hands weren’t playing the piano, banjo or xylorimba, also known as a xylophone, she expressed her artistic flair creating crafts and paintings of anything and everything on canvas but also on coal shovels, mason jars, wooden spoons, bowling pins and more. Each of her creations were shared with family and friends and have now become a treasured piece of her legacy. Norval’s flower and vegetable garden burst with all nature could provide, but it was her own brand of magic in the kitchen that made ordinary dishes unforgettable. Her pantry was never bare, and always boasted her canned goods, cookies and cakes. Growing up on the farm, and later becoming a quintessential farm wife, Norval was no stranger to tractors and could often be found atop her big Cub Cadet riding mower. Norval lived a long life and made each moment special, filled with love, laughter and music, and will forever be missed but never forgotten. She is survived by four children:Janice (Paul) Bastian, William (Harriet) Schumacher, Beth (Eddie) Mongler and Stan (Carol) Schumacher;Nine grandchildren:Craig (Marge) Bastian, Robert (Sheila) Bastian, Mike (Melinda) Bastian, Dale (Jackie) Reilly, Terri Hough, Randy Holthusen, Sheryl Phillips, Kindra Schumacher and Kristin Schumacher;17 great-grandchildren;8 great-great grandchildren;Many nieces, nephews and a countryside of friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Stanley, one grandson David Bastian, one granddaughter Elizabeth Bastian Sandvig and one brother Morsch Leifheit. Visitation will be from 4:30-8 p.m., Monday, July 29, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral to celebrate her life and faith will begin at 10 a.m. at Grace Community Fellowship Church, 17081 Owens Rd., Maple Park, IL. Rev. Mike Morrell, pastor of the church, will officiate, with interment to follow East Pierce Cemetery, next to the church. In lieu flowers, a memorial has been established in Norval’s name to benefit Hospice and East Pierce Cemetery. Checks may be made to the "Norval Schumacher Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com where you can find her full life story.