Our Caring Staff

James D. "JD" Smallwood
Owner/Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer








JD Smallwood was born and raised in Princeton. He attended Princeton Public Schools, graduating Princeton High School in 1985. He attended Illinois College and graduated Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1996. JD served a two year apprenticeship in Indiana before returning to Princeton to work for his dad, Bodie Smallwood, at Norbergs. JD became a partner in the business in 2000 and became sole owner of Norberg’s in December 2007. JD enjoys serving families in this community and is always willing to do anything to help them through a difficult time. When he is not helping families he enjoys sports of all kinds, including golf and coaching soccer. He also loves spending time with his family. JD is married to Shannon and together they have three children; Phoenix, Basia and Jakoby. He also has two dogs Spooky and Tobin.

Shannon Smallwood
Owner/General Manager
Memorial Specialist






Shannon was born in Florida to native Princeton parents. After her family moved back to Princeton when she was three, she attended Princeton Public Schools until she moved to Indiana when she was a sophomore. Always a Princeton girl at heart she returned to the area as a young adult and attended IVCC. She received an associate degree in Criminal Justice in 1994. After many years in the Smallwood family Shannon began taking an active role in the funeral home business. Guided by her father-in-law, Bodie Smallwood, Shannon learned the ins and outs of managing the funeral home and after his passing has continued his monument business. As previously stated she is married to JD, has three children and two dogs. She loves spending time with her family, as she is truly a devoted wife and mother. Shannon also enjoys serving families and it is her goal to help them pick out the perfect monument for themselves or their loved ones.

Elizabeth Isaacson
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer





Elizabeth was born in Oglesby and lived most of her early life in the LaSalle-Peru area. She attended Holy Family School in Oglesby and graduated from High School in Colorado. She attended college in North Carolina and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in March 2004. Upon graduation she received the Bruno Bak Memorial Award for excellence in funeral service. Elizabeth completed a two year apprenticeship and became licensed in Arizona before returning to the area. In February 2007 she became part of the Norbergs family and has since enjoyed working at the funeral home. Elizabeth loves providing families with truly personal services that honor their loved ones. When she is not working Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her new husband, John Isaacson and daughter, Cella. Elizabeth has three dogs; Hazel, Petunia and Midge.

Erica Rabe
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer




Erica was born in the Bradford area. Erica attended Bradford area schools and graduated from Bureau Valley High School. She was a licensed CNA at Perry Memorial Hospital before going back to school to become a funeral director. She graduated from Carl Sandberg College's Mortuary Science program in 2009. Erica then began her apprenticeship here at Norberg's, earning her state license in 2010. She enjoys helping families on their journey through the funeral process. Erica is a member of the First Christian Church, volunteers for mobile meals and is involved with the Princeton Jaycees where she has been in charge of the annual 4th of July fireworks. Erica is married to Adam Rabe and has two daughters Abby and Emily. Erica also has a dog, Dante, two cats and several chickens.

 

In Loving Memory
Lowell "Bodie" Smallwood
1931 - 2008



Bodie passed away on Sunday, Oct 05, 2008 at Kindred Hospital, Sycamore IL. He was born on March 17, 1931 in Harmon, Illinois to Oscar Smallwood and Genevieve O. (Burdge) Smallwood. He graduated from Harmon High School in 1948 (for grades 9 to 11) and from Dixon High School in 1949 (12th grade). He attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1951 - 1953. He married Bonnie Woolsey Nov. 28, 1953 at the Methodist church in Amboy. He then graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1954. Bodie became a licensed funeral director in the state of Illinois in 1954. In 1955 he began working in Princeton for Norberg Memorial Home. Then in 1959 he became a partner in Norberg's. In 2000 he became the sole owner of Norberg's until 2003 when he brought his son J.D. into partnership with him.
Bodie was a member of:
VFW/American Legion,
Princeton Rotary, with perfect attendance for 48 years
Princeton Youth Little League Baseball Board for over twenty years and a little league coach for over 15 years
Princeton Chamber member for 48 years
Princeton Park Board from 1981- 1001
Illinois Funeral Directors Association for 52 years
Federated Funeral Directors of America for over 50 years
National Funeral Directors Association
Princeton Elks Lodge for over 40 years
Board of Directors for the local American Red Cross for 25 years
Bodie worked in Veteran's Affairs for the local Red Cross
Personally donated 20 gallons of blood to the red cross over many years

Bodie was clearly loved and is greatly missed by his family, friends, and the community he served for so many years.

Other staff members who help our funeral home run smoothly include:
Long time hearse driver max Coville
Organists Wanda Stenzel and Joann Swan
Long time hair stylist Patsy Stickel
Hearse Driver and unofficial maintenance man John Rednour (Shannon's Dad)
Hearse Drivers Larry Forristall and Bill Cass