Erma G. Nardi

Erma Nardi , 94, of Shelbyville, died Monday, January 8, 2024 at Arc Nursing Home in Normal, Illinois. She was born on January 11, 1929, in Reading, Ohio to parents Hubert and Zelma Bullock.

She married James Nardi in 1947 and they started their life together in their home on Main Street in Shelbyville where they lived for over 60 years.  James preceded her in death on Dec 27, 2007.  She moved from Shelbyville in 2014 to assisted living and eventually nursing home care in Normal, IL, where four of her five children reside.

Erma’s professional work experience included being the Activity Supervisor & Coordinator at Shelby County Rehabilitation Center from 1971 to 1981, a position in which she modeled respect, kindness, and patience. She also worked at Shelbyville Restorium, Coast to Coast Hardware and Dillows Drug Store. Erma was a life-long member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where she used her talents to serve.  Her most cherished job was being that of loving wife and wonderful mother.

Her talents and interests were intricately woven into her life. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, art, music, and cooking. The kitchen was her domain. Family and friends benefited! She was an exceptional human being, cherished by her family for being strong, forgiving, accepting, nurturing and supportive. Her family was her priority, her pride and joy, and she loved each and every one unconditionally.

Erma is survived by her sons, Gary (Krista) Nardi of Normal, IL and Danny (Brenda) Nardi of Normal, IL; her daughters, Karen Biddle of Shelbyville, IL, Connie (Don) Taylor of Bloomington, IL and Brenda (Jeff) Witzig of Normal IL;  10 grandchildren, Chauncey, Wyatt and Melina (children of Gary and Krista Nardi),  Sarah and Jillian (daughters of Dann and Brenda Nardi), Joni (daughter of Karen Biddle), Jared, Wesley, Lainey and Alec (children of Brenda Witzig); and 12 great grandchildren, Ellis (daughter of Sarah), Nathan and Adelyn (children of Jillian), Alexis and Birdie (children of Angela), Emma and Isaac (children of Joni), Charlee (daughter of Jared), Bennett and Wells (sons of Lainey), Elliott and Kerrick (sons of Alec); and  3 great-great grandchildren, Zoey, Beckham and Milo (children of Alexis).

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her beloved husband and granddaughter, Angela Biddle Brachbill.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Rev. Greg Breeden officiating.  Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service with burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Memorials may be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, greater-illinois@cff.org or Shelbyville Memorial Sunken Garden, memorialsunkengarden.org

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and CNA’s at Heritage Health and ARC nursing home facilities and to Transitions Hospice nurses Jessica and Brandi. Their compassionate care was such a comfort, and the family is forever grateful.