Naomi Ruth Hughs, 98, of Freeport, passed away at Presence St. Joseph's Nursing Center on Monday, July 4, 2016.
Born April 28, 1918, in Freeport, she was the daughter of Jess and Hazel (Woods) Weckerly. She married James Hughs August 25, 1936, and he preceded her in death in 1968.
Nonie, as she was fondly called, and Jim operated Hughs' Grocery Store on West Galena Avenue for more than 25 years, where they contributed not only food, but support and love for many families in the neighborhood. Following that, Nonie worked as an office supervisor at J.C. Penney.
She was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday School and participated in the women's groups. Later, she joined the First Church of the Nazarene. She also belonged to the Salvation Army Auxiliary, the Project Prosper Program, Freeport Quota Club, and the American Business Women's Association.
Surviving are her children, James Nelson Hughs of Zionsville, Indiana, and Darlene (Graydon) Axtell of Green Bay, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Toni (Todd) Settle, Joel (Yvonne) Edler, Thomas (Jennifer Kulbeck) Edler, James (Maria Bello) Edler, Todd (Lisa) Axtell, and Karen Chriske; her great-grandchildren, Ben, Abby, and Anna Settle all of Zionsville, Indiana, Kai River and Levi Edler both of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Tim Jolly of Green Bay, Wisconsin; her sisters, Vita Ferry of Michigan and Betty Fenton of Freeport; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Robert, Bradley, and Lee Weckerly; two sisters, Jeannette (Miller) Weckerly and Ilene Weckerly; and her daughter-in-law, Aletha (Bergman) Hughs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Salvation Army.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 11, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. at Walker Mortuary. Burial services will be held at the Church of the Nazarene on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, with a luncheon following. Please leave a message in Nonie's guestbook at www.walkermortuary.com.