OBITUARY: Noveda Loucene Wentzel
Noveda Loucene Wentzel passed away 8:50 a.m. Sunday, March 9, 2014, at home.
She was born Sept. 26, 1926, in Harrisburg, to Leo and Cecelia Shetler. She married John William Wentzel on June 1, 1949. They celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 1, 1999. John preceded her in death on Feb. 14, 2000.
In her youth, Noveda owned and operated a beauty shop, and later returned to Southeastern Illinois College and earned her instructor's degree in cosmetology. She taught at the Harrisburg Beauty School and mentored many young students.
Noveda and her husband enjoyed roller skate dancing at various rinks, and always carried their skates in the car trunk, even on their honeymoon. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Altar Society. Noveda was treasurer of the Logan School PTA for several years and received an award of recognition for her service. She was a member of the Harrisburg American Legion Auxiliary for many years. Being the mother of seven children, Noveda spent many afternoons and evenings attending swimming, track, baseball, basketball, cross country, music and tennis competitions. She and John thoroughly enjoyed supporting their children and rarely missed any activity.
She enjoyed weaving rugs, doing needlework and crafts and demonstrated her work at festivals. She also entered local fair competitions where she won numerous blue ribbons. Noveda was a juried weaver and was selected to display her work at the Southern Illinois Art and Artisan Center at Rend Lake. She received recognition for her work from Eastern Illinois University for her contribution in helping preserve folk art traditions. Noveda received an award for the most appropriately dressed, as Betsy Ross, during the Harrisburg Bi-Centennial Festival in 1976. She attended a brunch honoring Illinois artisans at the governor's mansion hosted by Governor Ryan and his wife Lura Lynn Ryan. Noveda was the owner of Noveda's Creations for 26 years, featuring her weaving and other work.
Survivors include a sister, Bonita Ragan of Harrisburg; seven children, Carolyn of Harrisburg, Bill (Meg) of Raleigh, N.C., Katie of Las Vegas, Nev., Leo (Kendell) of Asheville, N.C., Jake of Austin, Texas, Mary Mechler of Carbondale, Missy (George) Cain of Springfield; 13 grandchildren, Adam Briddick, Victoria, Mike and Mark DiCicco, Jenny, John and Matthew Wentzel, Amy and Mike Wentzel, Katie and Nick Mechler, Danielle and Nathan Cain; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; and brother, Bill Shetler.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg with a Rosary service starting at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Harrisburg 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014, with Father. Abraham Adejoh officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Lawn Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.