September 26, 1938 – July 11, 2026
Norbert E. Ochs, age 87, of Sainte Marie, Illinois, passed away at 9:29 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM – Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois, with Fr Pawel Luczak, celebrating mass. The burial will be in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Sainte Marie, Illinois, with military rites by the Sainte Marie American Legion Post #932. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Saint Mary’s Parish Center in Sainte Marie, Illinois. A rosary will be prayed at 9:45 AM on Thursday, before the mass. In loving memory of Norbert, memorials may be made to the families wishes or Saint Mary’s Cemetery Fund. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Norbert was born on September 26, 1938, west of Sainte Marie, Illinois, the son of Bernard I. and Marie G. (Hahn) Ochs. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1956.
Norbert served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany.
Norbert was united in marriage to Jane Kapper on August 9, 1961, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, Illinois.
Norbert was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer. He was a member of Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie American Legion Post #932, 69 year member of the Knights of Columbus #1704 and a 4th degree member of the Newton Assembly #1554.
Norbert was community-minded and always willing to lend a helping hand. He proudly served as a trustee for Sainte Marie Township, was a member of the Saint Mary’s Cemetery Committee where he dug the graves for many years, a commissioner for the Captain Pond Drainage and Levee District, Jasper County Democrat Precinct Committeeman, and a member and past board member of the Jasper County Farm Bureau.
Norbert enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre, and took great pride in mowing and maintaining the levees and lagoon near Sainte Marie and the village property. He was happiest when keeping the area looking its best and contributing to the community he loved.
Norbert is survived by:
Wife of 64 years – Jane Ochs of Sainte Marie, Illinois
Children – Kevin (Teresa) Ochs of Sainte Marie, Illinois; Michelle (David) Rauch of Ingraham, Illinois and Melissa “Missy” (Tony) Buerster of Noble, Illinois
Grandchildren – Emily (John) Uebinger, Curtis (Danielle) Ochs, Cole (Keirshtin) Ochs, Clinton Rauch, Aaron (Mareah) Rauch, Lucas Rauch, Kylie Rauch, Breanne (Jordan) Jones, Tyler Buerster and Garrett Buerster
Great Grandchildren – Daniel, Logan and Mason Uebinger, Rhett, Owen and Austin Ochs, Winston Alexander, Cade and Olivia Ochs, Loren and Clara Rauch, and baby Jones due in December 2026
Siblings – Louis Ochs of Newton, Illinois; Richard (Joyce) Ochs of West Liberty, Illinois; Betty Brummer of Effingham, Illinois; Florent (Judy) Ochs of Newton, Illinois; Elmer (Marcia) Ochs of Sainte Marie, Illinois; Gerald (Linda) Ochs of Newton, Illinois and Francis (Jean) Ochs of West Liberty, Illinois
Sisters-in-law – Patti Ochs of Newton, Illinois; JoAnn Bergbower of Newton, Illinois; Betty Bergbower of Bluford, Illinois and Sue Kramer of Decatur, Illinois
Norbert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronald Lee “RO” Ochs, father and mother-in-law Clement and Clara Kapper, sister-in-law Gloria Ochs, brothers-in-law George Brummer, Joe Bergbower, Cornelius “Bergy” Bergbower and Jim Kramer.
