Norma Jean (Bates) Bloom (1923 - 2019)

Born 15 Jun 1923 in Rockton, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Wife of John Rayln Bloom — married 19 Jul 1940 in Rockton, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Died 17 Apr 2019 at age 95 in Rockton, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Norma was born 15 Jun1923 in Rockton.^[1][2]She was the daughter of Carl and Vera (Carpenter) Bates.^[2][3]

Norma Jean was very popular in school and enjoyed the social aspect of her education. She also received very good grades, graduating from the Hononegah High School.^[2][3]

Norma, called "Shorty" by her siblings, worked for a time at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, beginning in the spring of 1940. Her first weekend, she recalled, she received tips of $.90 on Friday night, $.80 on Saturday, then on Sunday raked in $2.15.^[3]

Although she had just turned 17 years of age, Norma Jean married her longtime beau, John Rayln "Ray" Bloom on 19 Jul 1940 at the Bates family farm.^[2] During their 62 years of marriage the couple would have five children.^[2][3]

Her husband was a War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army 178th Battalion.^[2]

Later in life, she and Ray would enjoy their many travels in their travel trailer, notably wintering at The Resort RV Park in Mesa, AZ. She was a longtime member of the Rockton United Methodist Church and lived virtually her entire life in Rockton.^[2]

The love of her life passed away in 2003.^[4] She would follow, at the age of 95, on 17 Apr 2019.^[1][2]They are reunited for eternity in Rockton Township Cemetery.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58168826/norma-jean-bloom: accessed 25 September 2022), memorial page for Norma Jean Bates Bloom (15 Jun 1923–17 Apr 2019), Find a Grave Memorial ID 58168826, citing Rockton Township Cemetery, Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Dean McMakin (contributor 46804161)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} Rockford Register Star (IL) - Saturday, June 8, 2019, Obituary of Norma Jean (Bates) Bloom
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} The Bates Centennial Farm of Rockton, (1857-1990s), Antecendents-Stewards-Offshoots, by Charles Carpenter Bates PH.D., published 1993 by Corn Field Press of Rockton, IL.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50862684/john-ralyn-bloom: accessed 25 September 2022), memorial page for John Ralyn “Ray” Bloom (22 Aug 1921–12 Feb 2003), Find a Grave Memorial ID 50862684, citing Rockton Township Cemetery, Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Dean McMakin (contributor 46804161)