Norma Jean (Wagner) Leinard Obituary (1936 - 2016)

Norma Jean (Wagner) Leinard passed away at 12:15 p.m., Monday, December 5, 2016, at her home with her family by her side. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. Burial will be in West Frantz Cemetery, Oakley. The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Disabled American Veterans. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Norma was born February 14, 1936, in Decatur, IL the daughter of Emery and Lanie Bell (Patient) Wagner. She married James E. Leinard on July 12, 1953. He preceded her in death on September 1, 2006, and she had missed him every day since, but now they are together again. Norma was so sweet, kind, loving, helpful and thoughtful. She put everyone before herself. She and her husband enjoyed square dancing and fishing before their health declined. Norma enjoyed the outdoors, cooking for her family, playing cards along with her husband, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will all miss her greatly. Norma was known as a very strong woman. She had fought cancer for twenty years. She always had a positive outlook and showed all of us how to be strong and thankful for what we have. Surviving are her children: James L. (Janice) Leinard of Decatur, Brenda (Scott) Gaitros of rural Cerro Gordo, and Rodger Leinard of Champaign. She also leaves nine grandchildren: Tina (Greg) Pyles of Findlay, Andrew Leinard of Decatur, William (Jess) Gaitros of Long Creek, Matthew Gaitros (Caitlyn Burgener) of rural Cerro Gordo, Stefanie (Gavin) McCoy of rural Oakley, Julie Gaitros of rural Cerro Gordo, Amanda (Maurice) Crabtree of Cerro Gordo, Mitchel (Bre) Leinard of Owensboro, KY and Steven Leinard (Christa Eagles) of Mahomet. In addition, she had two step grandchildren: Joshua (Tricia) Downing of O'Fallon, MO and Jonathan (Aubrey) Downing of Decatur. She also leaves nine great-grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son: Doug, and her brother: Don.