Norva “Fern”Wilder Zortman, 90 of Centralia, formerly of Nashville passed away at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Centralia Manor with her family by her side.

Fern was born the daughter of George Henry and Nellie Myrtle (Day) Hayes on September 29, 1926, in Scott County, close to Manchester, IL.  She attended Fairview Country School, Winchester Community High School and Advanced Bookkeeping at Ford Motor Company.  She married Donald Wilder of Pittsfield, IL and they have two sons, Craig Wilder of Nashville, IL and Larry Allen Wilder (Deceased).  They later divorced, then marrying Zedekiah “Zed” Z. Zortman in Nashville, IL.

Survivors to cherish her memory are her husband Zed of Centralia, a son Craig Wilder of Nashville, two step daughters Susan Renee and husband Bill Hundt of Pekin, IL and Kimberly Ann and Husband Don Woods of Princeville, IL.  A step son James Z. Zortman and wife Lesa of Virginia, two grandsons, Randal Wilder of Nashville and Dan Wilder and wife Tiffany of Centralia, five granddaughters Pattie-Jo and husband Kalkbrener of Centralia and Trisha Basse of Springfield, IL, Brittany Nichole and husband Adam Irwin, Kayla Ann and husband Kory Robinett both of Nashville, IL and Lexi Wilder and fiancé Patrick Bielong of Dix, IL, step-grandchildren Chad Thomas and wife Jodi of Monticello, IL, James Simmons and wife Jessica of Leroy, IL, Nicole Dickerson of St. Louis, MO, Thomas Dickerson of Tampa, FL and Christopher Handegan of Pekin, IL.  Along with twenty great grandchildren, a sister Neva Faye Watkins of Jerseyville, IL.  There are four in-law brother’s, Erza Ezekiel and wife Lorena of West Jefferson, OH, Frank Benjamin Jr. of Mountain Home, AR, Clyde Orlando and wife Janet of Haydon Lake, IA and David Donn and wife Donna of Blue Water, NM.  Four in-law sisters, Zenobia Irene Mammen of Aloha OR, Rachel Ida Morgan or Noblesville IN, Velda Jeen Szyck of Union, MI and Heather Alece McKune of Spring Valley, IL.

Preceding her in death were her parents, a son Larry Allen Wilder, step-son Jeffrey C. Zortman, a great granddaughter Sierra Wilder, a brother Carl Henry and wife Francis Hayes, a sister Norma Rose and husband Edward Murphy and brother’s in-law George Watkins Jonathan Zortman and Seth Zortman.

Fern was a bookkeeper and legal secretary most of her life.  Some of her jobs were at Deppe’s Dress Shop, two dental offices, McMurray College Library, Ford Motor Co, Illinois Superintendent of Public Schools Ray Page, National Mine Service Co, Washington Coutny State’s Attorney and Hoyleton Children’s Home administrator.  She also ran for the City Commissioner of Public Property for the city of Pinckneyville, only losing by twenty-four votes and refusing to go through a messy recount.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 24th at Styninger Funeral Home in Nashville with Rev. Don Smith officiating. Cremation will follow the service.  Burial of cremated remains will follow in the Winchester City Cemetery in Winchester at a later date.  Friends may call one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Garden Court at Centralia Manor.

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