STILLMAN VALLEY – Norma Jean Castelli, age 92, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 at her home in Stillman Valley surrounded by her loving family. She was born Aug. 20, 1928 in Stillman Valley the daughter of Willis and Blanche (Wills) Friday.
Norma graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1947. She married Pete A. Castelli on June 26, 1949 at the Congregational Christian Church in Stillman Valley. Together Norma and Pete owned and operated Castelli’s Royal Blue Grocery Store and Castelli’s Speed Queen Laundry in Stillman Valley.She also worked for Continental Electric in Rockford, was the telephone operator in Stillman Valley, and also worked as a clerk for many years at Bergner’s in Rockford. She was a member of the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge, loved barbershop music, and liked to knit and do crafting. She was an avid baker and enjoyed the Holidays with her family including Halloween. She was an avid Cub’s fan and would attend the spring training camp with her husband Pete.
Together Norma and Pete loved to travel on vacations and cruises. They also would spend the winters at their condos in Colorado and Arizona. he was very fond of her special dog companion Candy.
Norma was predeceased by her parents, husband Pete, infant daughter Beth, sisters; Pauline Burgess, Virginia Wiles, and Marion Mayborne.
She is survived by her 3 children; Philip (Barbara) Castelli of Pinetop, Ariz., Thomas (Lorrie) Castelli of Stillman Valley, and Gina (Dane) Person of Stillman Valley, sisters; Roberta Arn and Julie (Gary) Larson of Stillman Valley, 8 grandchildren; Thomas R. (Kelly) Castelli, Perry (Katie) Castelli, Allison Castelli-Grant, Lane (Sarah) Person, Brandon Person, Aaron Person, Melissa Spurlock, and Ashley Anderson, 3 step grandchildren; Robert Pendle, Annette Joy, and Walter Pendle, 17 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and special caregiver Deb Bassitt.
Private Graveside service was held at the Stillman Valley Cemetery with the Pastor David Rogula Chaplin of the Serenity Hospice and Home officiating. A walkthrough visitation was from 4-7 p..m, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 136 W. Roosevelt Road in Stillman Valley. Due to Covid-19 regulations, a limited number of people were allowed in the funeral home at a single time, social distancing must be observed, and a mask must be worn to see the family.
The family would especially like to thank the staff of Swedish American Home Health Care and Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. A memorial fund is established in Norma’s name for the Stillman Valley Cemetery and the Serenity Hospice and Home. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence or a memory.