Norman T. Modglin

Danville- Norman Thomas Modglin, 88, passed away Monday, March 2, 2015 peacefully, and surrounded by his family in his home in Danville, IL. Norm was born July 2, 1926 in Dixon Springs, IL to Whitla C. and May (Butler) Modglin. Both parents, and two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death. Two brothers, Larry and Robert, still survive. He married (Essie) Juanita Phelps on March 15, 1947 in Peoria, IL. Norman met Juanita at Golconda (IL) High School before her family relocated to the Peoria area. After 65 years of marriage she preceded him in death on May 18, 2012. Norman and Juanita will lay in rest side by side in Glendale Cemetery, Pope County, near his fathers farm in southern Illinois. Norman leaves behind six surviving children; Ken (Debbie) Modglin of Rantoul, IL; Pat (Tom) Rhoades of Monticello, IL; Kathy Royse (Mark Eveland) of Homer, IL; Rex (Sue) Modglin of Danville, IL; Dean (Carla) Modglin of Muskego, WI; Tim Modglin of Danville, IL. He was also blessed with 11 grandchildren ranging in age from 16 to 46 years old, and 19 great-grandchildren. After he graduated from Golconda HS in 1943, Norm went to Peoria to work various jobs until he was old enough to enlist to serve his country in the military. He joined the United States Army in January 1945 and was decorated in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign for Good Conduct, and also received World War II Victory and Occupation Medals. Norman returned to the States and married his high school sweetheart in 1947 and eventually earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of Illinois, and remained a steadfast fan of the Fightin Illini his entire life. During this time he also earned money for school and to raise his new young family by managing his fathers General Store in Dixon Springs, IL, where they lived after Ken was born. After earning his degree, Norman became a high school teacher in Robinson, IL from 1951 to 1954 of which he fondly told many stories about how much he enjoyed teaching students. During May of 1954 Norman joined The Country Companies Insurance Co. as a Sales Agent in Champaign County and moved his family to Rantoul, IL. In 1966 he transferred to Piatt County as Agency Manager and bought a home in Monticello, IL. In August of 1968 he became Agency Manager of Vermilion County and relocated to Catlin, IL, and later Danville, IL where he and Juanita resided for the rest of their lives. In 1990 he retired from the agency after a successful 45 year career. Norm was very proud of his financial planning skills and he became a shrewd observer of the stock market and an accomplished trader of equities. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, reading and listening to St. Louis Cardinals baseball on the radio in his spare time, and he always looked forward to storytelling, hearty debates and lively conversations with his many friends, including the ROMEO Club, the YMCA gang, the Coffee group and fellow members of the Ridgeview Baptist Church. Norm always astounded his audiences with his ability to recite classic poems from deep in his memory banks, as well as challenging himself and others with exercises in logical problem solving. Norman will always be fondly remembered by his family and friends as a gifted storyteller, a pragmatic problem solver, a leader amongst his peers, a steadfast and loyal friend, a dependable comrade and an eternal optimist. He was a profoundly devoted husband, a dedicated father, a community volunteer and a deeply religious man whom remains an iconic hero to his progeny. Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home in Danville on Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 1:00-3:00pm, followed by a memorial service officiated by Pastor Tony Goss of Ridgeview Baptist Church beginning at 3:00pm, also at Sunset Funeral Home. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Pope County (Simpson, IL) on Saturday, March 7 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Danville Family YMCA at 1111 North Vermilion Street, Danville, IL 61832, or online at www.danvilleymca.org (under Give Back, Donate). Please join Normans family in sharing photos, videos and memories of him through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com