Norma Jean Ooton's Obituary
Decatur-Norma Jean Ooton, 89, of Decatur, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014 at McKinley Court in Decatur with her special niece and nephew by her side.
Suzy, as she was known to her family and friends was born December 10, 1925, in Decatur, the daughter of Lawrence E. and Illa Mae (Patton) Ooton. She was employed by Western Electric as a Department Chief of Technical Services from 1954-1985 in Schaumburg, Illinois and later in Baldwin, Missouri. After retirement she returned to Decatur to help her niece care for her mother and ailing father. She continued to make Decatur her home until her death.
She loved her job and took great pride in being one of the first women to occupy an upper management position in the Bell system. She would chuckle and say “They asked me if I knew anything about printing and reproduction” and I said “heck no”, and then they asked “Can you learn” and I said “Heck yes”.
In her teenage years she was an avid softball player and played on what was one of Decatur’s first professional softball teams. She like working crossword puzzles and read everything she could get her hands on including newspapers that Sharon and Larry would bring back from vacations. In her later years she enjoyed having lunch on the last Monday of each month with family members including most of her favorite cousins. Her family will always remember her as a person with a strong will and a heart of gold.
She leaves behind her very special niece Sharon Ramey and husband Larry of Decatur, great-nephews Troy Ramey and wife Kristina of Effingham and Tyler Ramey and wife Dawn of Aurora, Illinois, great-great-niece Chandler Ramey, great-great-nephews Jack Ramey and Cole Ramey, and several cousins all of whom she loved very much.
Suzy was preceded in death by her parents and sister Betty Crisman, and brother-in-law George Crisman.
A special thanks to all the caregivers and staff at Imboden Gardens, McKinley Court, Dr. Heim and Dr. Rademacher. Their patience, kindness, and advice was invaluable during some very difficult times.
Services to celebrate Suzy’s life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial with “Flight Home” Ceremony will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Homeward Bound Pet Shelter.
The family of Norma Jean Ooton is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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