Norma (Sis) Jean Chappell, 88, of Durand, passed peacefully at Medina Nursing Center, Durand IL on the afternoon of February 25, 2025.

She was born May 8, 1936, in Red Oak, IL. Her parents were Glenn and Margaret (Jacobs) Harnish. Norma attended Red Oak school and Freeport High School, where she graduated Class of 1954.

Norma married Ronald (Chap) Chappell at First Baptist Church on February 24, 1956, in Freeport.

Norma's life was marked by her dedication to teaching piano, organ and accordion for over 40 years in her home.  Growing up, she played in numerous piano and accordion recitals.  She was an avid pianist and organist.

Known as the "Cake Creator", Norma was just as dedicated to making people happy with her cakes. It was not unusual for her to bake/decorate up to 20 cakes/cupcakes a week in her home. Once, Norma and Ron drove 491 miles to Brainerd, MN to deliver a 10-tiered wedding cake, to serve 300 people. They had a sign in the back window that read "Wedding Cake Being Delivered". They arrived safely and made the delivery. Family favorite treats were her peanut rolls and cake scraps rolled in frosting.

Norma and Ron enjoyed camping throughout the US, even up through Canada to Alaska. They spent most of their married life in Freeport. In retirement, they enjoyed many winters with their friends at Cypress Bend Resort and RV Park, in Estero FL, and spent the summers in Backus, MN, before eventually becoming full-time Floridians.

Surviving are her daughter: Marsha (Kirk) Shelly, of Davis, IL; three grandchildren: Stacy Shelly of Rockford, IL, Pamela Shelly of Dakota, IL, Scott (Angela) Shelly of Brodhead, WI; and seven great grandchildren: Kade Wales, Reid Wales and Macie Wales of Dakota, IL, Brody Shelly and Emma Shelly of Brodhead WI, Braden Cook of Footville, WI and Alexis Cook from Kenosha, WI. A special Aunt, Betty Kyler, lives in Tucson, AZ.

She joins her husband Ronald M. Chappell, daughter Tamera Sue, parents, brother Ronald Harnish and sister Patricia Hartog.

There will be a private memorial service held in the chapel of Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

Family expresses a special thank you to Medina Nursing staff for their care the past couple of years and OSF Hospice for their care during her final weeks.

A memorial has been established.