Norma Jean McKie, 94, of Oneida, Illinois, died peacefully at Hawthorne Inn, Galesburg, Illinois, at 3:26 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Jean was born September 30, 1931, at home in rural Knox County, Illinois, the daughter of Ernest Victor “Vic” and Edith Marie (Huber) Swanson. She was united in marriage to Samuel Vance McKie on June 17, 1956, in Abingdon, Illinois. Jean and Sam enjoyed 63 years of marriage until his death on August 22, 2019.
Jean is survived by one daughter, Melinda Cation of Oneida; one son, Tom (Dawn) McKie of Cambridge; and five grandchildren, Lindsay (José Jimenez) Cation, Amanda (Andrew) Weedman, Alex (Lisa Dixon) Cation, Kierston (Charlie) Brown, and Kendall (Taylor) Constable. She is also survived by her beloved nine great-grandchildren, Marley, Lincoln, Sterling, Selena, Maverick, Walker, Isabella, Nora, and Ava, and her tenth great-grandchild, a baby girl due in April. Along with her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by her sister, JoAnn Henson.
Jean attended Illinois State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She later earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois. Jean taught at ROVA schools for four years before becoming a stay-at-home mother to raise her children. She eventually returned to teaching as a home economics teacher at Knoxville Schools for 20 years, retiring on June 4, 1987. Jean knew the value of education, serving as a supervising teacher for ISU and the University of Illinois for many years, as well as serving on various state education committees throughout the years. Having a knack for understanding writing styles, Jean also worked for many years as a graph analyst.
Jean was a devoted farm wife and mother and relished her later years becoming a grandma and eventually a great-grandma. In her free time, she enjoyed playing Bridge with friends, completing crossword puzzles, and the quiet comfort of a good book. She was a longtime member of Oneida Presbyterian Church; Home Economist; Oneida Women’s Club; Chapter NK of PEO; and served as a board member and past president for several years of Greig Memorial Library, Oneida.
Visitation and funeral services for Jean will be Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with visitation from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor David Pyell officiating. Burial will follow at Oneida Cemetery, Oneida, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greig Memorial Library or the OW Fire Protection District. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
