Norma Nichola Wheeler

Norma Nichola (Sparks) Wheeler, 93, of Carbondale, formerly of Marion, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 9:20 a.m. at Carbondale Rehab. Norma was born on March 31, 1920 in Marion Illinois to Harry C. and Mildred (Dunnom) Sparks. She was graduated from Marion High School and attended Southern Illinois Normal University (now Southern Illinois University), majoring in English. She spent a year teaching school on Kaskaskia Island until family duties forced her to return home.  She kept a lifelong interest in learning and was a source of encouragement to her four children as they pursued their studies. She met her future husband, Paul Wheeler, Jr., in Marion and after his return from WW II service, married him at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church (now Zion United Church of Christ) on December 6, 1945.  She spent the next 46 years as his life companion until his death in 1991. In addition to being a housewife and mother, Norma became active in many activities.  These ranged from Brownie Scout leadership positions to membership in Another Mother for Peace and many other anti-war, environmental and social justice organizations.  Her last outing to support her favorite cause of peace was an anti-war demonstration in which she broke her hip.  Norma was a long time member of Zion United Church of Christ in Marion. She also was for many years an active supporter of the Marion Carnegie Library. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, younger sister Donna Marie Zemit; younger brother Harry Dunnom Sparks; and her husband Paul.  She is survived by sons Paul and companion Karen Jenkins of Indianapolis, Indiana; Jonathan and companion Shellie Stodghill of Carterville Illinois; Timothy and wife RoseAnn of Upland California; and daughter Ann and husband Richard Russell of Carbondale.  Further survivors are grandchildren Ashley Wheeler of Naples Florida; Whitney Wheeler Hurwitz  and her husband Brandon of Dallas Texas; Birgit Wheeler Collins and husband Scott and their sons, Robbie and Reiss of Countryside Illinois; and Paul David Wheeler of New Palestine Indiana. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Hugh Muldoon and Rev. John Holst officiating.  Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. For those who prefer memorials may be made to War Resisters League or Green Earth, Inc.  Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL  62959.