Norma Jean Oberholtzer (Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home)
NORMAL – Norma Jean Oberholtzer, 79, of Normal, passed away Aug. 4, 2018, of peripheral artery disease at OSF St. Joseph Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
A memorial service will be Sunday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. at Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Friends may call at the memorial home noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 12. Cremation rites will be accorded.
She was born March 15, 1939, in Chicago, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Mungo) Franzo. She was educated in Pontiac schools and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University. She married Paul Gschwendtner in 1958 and in 1984 married Jack Oberholtzer, both of whom are deceased.
She is survived by two daughters, Laura (Dan Ibrahim) Kelly of Germantown Hills; Mari Lynn (Rod) Hoselton of Chenoa; a daughter-in-law, Anita Gschwendtner of Eagle, WI; a sister, Arlene Moyer of Pontiac; two brothers, Gregory Franzo of Riverside and Robert Franzo of Michigan, and a sister-in-law, Nanci Franzo of Normal. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Corey (Kara) Jones of Cocoa, FL.; Lindsay (Jeremy) Thompson of South Haven, MI; Andrew Hoselton of Durham, N.C.; Bradley Hoselton of Winchester, VA; Ellie Gschwendtner of Grand Rapids, MI; Kerry Gschwendtner and Tracey Gschwendtner, both of Peoria; six great-grandchildren, Ricky Bradley, Reggie Bradley and Brianna Bradley, Zoe Jones and Lillie and Jase Thompson; and a great nephew, Adam Lopez.
She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Gschwendtner; an infant son, Daniel; her parents and a brother, Carl Franzo, Jr.
Mrs. Oberholtzer was passionate about learning, teaching and improving the lives of others. Throughout her career as a teacher and civic leader, she made a positive, lasting impact on thousands of people.
In her early days as an educator, 1980 to 2000, Mrs. Oberholtzer taught kindergarten, third and fourth grades at Pontiac Grade School district where many students claimed her as their favorite teacher. From 2000 to 2009, she was an assistant instructional professor at Illinois State University.
She was deeply committed to the cultural, social and economic growth of communities where she lived and was involved in numerous activities. Among those are: serving as former councilwoman for the city of Pontiac, a member of Rotary Club International, Young at Heartland, and the Girls Night Out Club, and supporting organizations such as the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington.
Creative in many ways, Mrs. Oberholtzer played the piano, wrote plays, hosted a radio program and was an avid tennis player. She also played bridge and Mahjong with friends.
Mrs. Oberholtzer lived a life filled with purpose and service. Most of all, she loved being with her cherished family and many friends.
Memorials may be made to Faith in Action of Bloomington/Normal. https://bnfia.org/author/faith-in-action-of-bloomington-normal.
Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to www.calvertmemorial.com<http://www.calvertmemorial.com>.
