Norma Jean Mascher Kennedy, age 91 of Willow Hill, passed away Thursday, December 3,
2020, at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the Mound
Cemetery with Pastor Amy Jeffries officiating. Burial will be in the Mound Cemetery. Crain
Funeral Home, Newton is assisting with arrangements.
Norma was born on May 6, 1929 in Willow Hill, Illinois, the daughter of Cecil and Minnie
(Mitchell) Leggitt. Norma was a graduate of Oblong Township High School, Class of 1947.
On June 12, 1951, Norma married Lou E. Mascher. They spent their lives working together
on the family farm until Lou’s passing on April 25, 1985. She later married LaVerl Kennedy
on November 3, 1987. He preceded her in death on June 21, 2002.
In addition to her busy life as a mother and farm wife, she was a member of the Grace
United Methodist Church in Newton. Other memberships included charter member of the
Home Bureau, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Advisory Council, 4-H leader of the
Willow Hill Frontiersman and Chapter FN of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, helping LaVerl with woodworking projects and her
antique collection. Norma loved displaying her family’s antiques and sharing the history of
the items with family and friends.
She will be loved and remembered by daughters Janet (John) Marunycz of Evansville and
Linda (Tim) Coombes of Willow Hill; grandchildren Alex (Fiona) Marunycz of Henderson,
NV, Tyler Marunycz and Clark Marunycz both of Evansville, Heather (Stephen)
Buechsenschuetz of Oblong and Daniel Coombes of Willow Hill; great-granddaughter Luella
Buechsenschuetz of Oblong and great-grandson Ellis Marunycz of Henderson, NV; and
sister-in-law Searoba Mascher of Marshall; step-children Jody Mrenak of Riverside, OH,
Steve (Bonnie) Kennedy, Jeanie Weddell, and Linda (Stan) Wallace all of Newton; step-
grandchildren Staci Butler, David Coombes, Toni Wallace, Marc Fritschle, Audra Mrenak,
Eric Mrenak, Jason Kennedy, Kevin Kennedy, Brian Kennedy, Doug Weddell, Sara Beam,
Allison Ferguson, Amanda Bowker, Kaitlin Zink, and Kimberlin Michels; and twenty-two
step great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husbands Lou and LaVerl and dear friend Noel Ikemire preceded her in death.
Memorial gift in honor of Norma may be made to the Mound Cemetery Care Fund or to the
Grace United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
