Norma Jean Richards

Norma Jean Richards, 83, of Louisiana, MO, went to be with our heavenly Father on March 5, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, MO. Marvin Scherff will officiate. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery near Louisiana, MO. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 9th at the funeral home. She was born on March 1, 1942 in Lewiston, Idaho, the first of 5 children, to Glen Wharton and Mary Lucille Wiggington Wharton. In 1960 she was married to Robert Lewis Welch Jr. She later married the love of her life Marvin Luther Richards in 1984 and he preceded her in death in 1995. She is survived by her daughter Sonja Welch Scherff (Bert) of Louisiana, MO, a step-son Tracy Richards (Jessica) of Louisiana, MO, grandchildren Frank Raddatz (Tera) of Bowling Green, MO, Robert Welch IV (Melissa) of Louisiana, MO, Jennifer Welch Fairchild (Justin) of Bowling Green, MO, Albert “AJ” Scherff Jr (Maria) of Springfield, MO, and Marvin Scherff of Springfield, MO, 13 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, a brother Thomas “Pete” Wharton (Cheryl) of Louisiana, MO, many nieces & nephews, friends, and coworkers. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, a son Robert “Robby Hillbilly” Welch III, her siblings Charles William “Billy” Wharton & his wife Billy Ruth Wharton, Glenn Ed Wharton, Mary Alice Silvey & her husband Larry Silvey, and nephews Chuck Wharton and Zach Silvey. She lived the first couple of her years in Idaho and then the rest of her life in Louisiana, MO. She was a member and graduate of Louisiana High School with the Class of 1961. She worked at several restaurants waiting tables when she was younger, including the Country Club, Abs Café, and several others around town. She was employed at Louisiana Plastics for almost 20 years then went to work at Hercules for over 30 years until her retirement. She was one of the first ladies that worked down in the chemical plant. Her coworkers affectionately called her mother and she would never miss baking them a birthday cake or cooking a meal for them on special occasions. She was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Her favorite thing to do was spend time with family and play cards or some sort of game. She also loved to bowl with her league team as well as watch bowling. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Wharton, Jim Calvin, John Crigger, and the people she worked with at Hercules. Active pallbearers will be AJ Scherff, Justin Fairchild, Larry Silvey, Glenn Wharton, Eric Wharton, and Frank Raddatz. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be sent at collierfuneral.com.

Norma Jean Richards

March 1, 1942 - March 5, 2025