The Rev. Norman E. Trolia

The Rev. Norman E. Trolia, 80, died Oct. 12, 2012, in Illinois. He was born June 16, 1932, in Decatur, Ill., to the late Martin Peter and Grace Carrie (Johnson) Trolia. He was the loving husband of the late Harriett Baker, whom he married on April 4, 1964. He graduated from Decatur High School and went on to attend college at Millikin University in Decatur, then graduated from Wesley College in Dover, Del. He also attended and graduated from St. Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Decatur, Ill. The Rev. Trolia was commissioned as a probationary member of the Central Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church in 1962 and ordained an elder in full connection in 1964. He served the following churches: Farmersville-Waggoner (1964-65); Illinois City-Pine Bluff (1965-67); Preemption (1967-1968); Blandinsville-Rock Creek (1968-1971); Nokomis: First-Grace (1971-1976); and Elmwood (1976-1977). The Rev. Trolia went on disability leave March 15, 1977, and retired in 1997. He is survived by his daughter, Carrie and husband, Stan Smart, of Tower Hill, Ill.; two grandchildren, Jared and wife, Courtney Rowcliffe, Jordan Smart, both of Tower Hill, Ill.; and one great-grandchild, Cash Rowcliffe of Tower Hill, Ill.; sisters, Mary Alice and husband, the late Raymond Johnson, and Arlene Jeanette and husband, Howard Wallace, both of Decatur, Ill.; brothers, Martin Leroy and wife, Shirley, of Decatur, Ill., and Thomas Lee and wife, Agnes, of Rockville, Md.; and sister-in-law, Margaret Rushing of Tampa, Fla. He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; and brother, Lawrence (Helen) Trolia. His funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Rogers. Burial will follow at Tucks Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home, Rogers. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 1801 S. Dixieland Road, Rogers, AR 72758, in care of the Apportionment Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.