Obituary of Norma C. Schien

Norma C. Schien 95, of Carlinville, passed away Wednesday morning, December 14, 2011 at Heritage Health in Carlinville. She was born on October 1, 1916 in Ipava, Illinois, to Rev. C.H. and Fadra Smith Coates. She lived in many communities as her father pastored Free Methodist churches throughout central and southern Illinois. She married John Schien on February 9, 1940 at the home of her parents in Alton, IL. In May, 1948 John and Norma Schien purchased a small welding shop in Carlinville. Working side by side over the next 50 years they grew that company into Schien Body & Equipment Company, a manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies and semi-trailers. While Norma was known to many people in the Carlinville area as an excellent business woman, she was also an excellent seamstress. Shortly after John passed away she began making bags to attach to walkers and wheelchairs. She made and donated thousands of walker bags and also made hundreds of custom-fitted chair covers for elementary schools to hold homework folders. Norma is survived by 2 sons, J. Richard (Linda) Schien and Jim (Nancy) Schien both of Carlinville; 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister Fadra (Phoebe) Delamarter of Louisville, KY; 2 brothers, Rev. Herbert H. (Mary) Coates of Greenville, IL and Robert (Joann) Coates of Lakeland, FL, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John on April 4, 2005; parents; brother, Merlin Coates and sisters, Lorene Groves and Roberta Young. Funeral Information Visitation will be held Sunday, December 18, 2011 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Carlinville United Methodist Church in Carlinville, IL. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:30 am at the church with Rev. Robert Taylor officiating. Burial will take place in the Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery. Donations Information Memorials are suggested to the Carlinville United Methodist Church or Carlinville Area Hospital. Directions Visitation: Carlinville United Methodist Church Service: Carlinville United Methodist Church Cemetery: Mayfield Cemetery