Mildred “Mid” Norville, of Galesburg, passed away at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 holding hands with her husband.
Mid was born October 31, 1935 and was raised in Monmouth. She was the third of three daughters born to Paul and Ella (Hopkins) Sympson.
She is survived by one brother, Charles, of Norfolk, Virginia; five grandchildren, Harrison, Joshua, Jordan, Cary, and Cory; eight great grandchildren, Mikhayla, Justin, Jacob, Olivia, Jasmine, Dana, Fallyn, and Kyle; one great-great granddaughter, Alayna; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, John DeWayne and Terry Lee; two sisters, Dorthey of East Moline and Mary Fern of Monmouth; and two brothers, Roger of Alaska and Robert of Hamlin, Kentucky.
Mid attended Monmouth Public Schools and earned her GED in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Out of her childhood grew a great affection for her mother, sisters, and brothers. She also became a strong believer in caring for animals, both large and small. Mid loved roller skating and could often be found at the Monmouth Roller Rink with her many friends.
On September 5, 1952, she married DeWayne “Russ” Norville of Roseville. They were married at the Christian Church in Roseville. For the next 23 years, she was a military wife and mother. Due to the Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War, and numerous other Air Force operations requiring her husband to be absent, she had the sole responsibility of managing family affairs and raising two young sons who soon grew to be teenage fender bending drivers. Not an easy task with the very limited funds or assistance that were available to the military family at the time. Over time, the family relocated 10 times in 13 years due to operational requirements. Mid received no medals or flag on her coffin for all she did to support her husband and the Air Force, but she most assuredly deserved them. She did, however, receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Air Force which read in part, “Mildred A. Norville has earned the grateful appreciation for her unselfish, faithful, and devoted service. Her unfailing support helped to make possible her husband’s lasting contribution to the Nation”.
After Russ retired from the Air Force, they moved to Macomb where he attended college under the GI Bill while she gained employment at a local department store to help make ends meet. After an internship in Golden, Colorado, and short-term employment in Zion, Illinois, Mid and Russ settled in Galesburg where they could be close to their families. This was an enjoyable time for Mid as grandchildren were on their way. Each summer, she was able to enjoy them as they would visit for several weeks at a time. After grandchildren came the great grandchildren and the love and enjoyment continued until the end.
Mid Norville was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved her family and her country. She also loved her kittens. She always had to have two to keep each other company, she said. She enjoyed her flower gardens in summer and her canning of vegetables from the garden.
Both she and Russ enjoyed the many trips they planned together, instead of the government, whether to see new places, join Air Force friends from the past, or go get the grandchildren and bring them back home for a spell.
She will be missed by all who knew her, but rest assured she has been reunited with her other loved ones once again. Mid was a member of First Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
There will be no formal visitation with the family present, however, those wishing to pay their respects may call at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel on Monday, October 7, 2019 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at East Linwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society from which she obtained her kittens. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
She will be loved forever and a day.
