Naomi Ione Wernsman

Naomi Ione Wernsman, age 91, of Centralia, passed away on April 9, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She was born on May 18, 1933, in Posey, Illinois, to Melvin and Mary (Thouvenin) Koehler. On July 12, 1951, she married Dale E. Wernsman in Mobile, Alabama, who preceded her in death on January 12, 2014.

Naomi was preceded in death by her loving husband, mother, father, brother Melvin “Moon” Koehler, sister Gloria Koehler, and brother-in-law Wilson Fauke.

She is survived by her two sisters, Donna Fauke, and Lola Wessel and brother-in-law Wayne of Carlyle, five children, Sandra Coalter and her husband Bobby of St. Genevieve, Missouri; Dennis Wernsman and his wife Diana of Salem; Stephen Wernsman and his wife Jane of Edwardsville; Tom Wernsman and his wife Kathie of Centralia; and Janet Beckmeyer and her husband David of Irvington. Naomi was also a cherished grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Sarah Anderson and her husband Colin, Joe Wernsman, Amy Wilkins and her husband Brian, Jessica Dial and her husband Travis, Kayla Clark and her husband Brad, Paul Beckmeyer, Maria Beckmeyer, Christi Gober and her husband Tom, Jenna Beckmeyer, Bobby Coalter, and Michael Coalter. She found immense joy in her twelve great-grandchildren: Owen, Avery , and Addison Clark; Emma Lass Beckmeyer, Grant and Sheridan Gober: Coralynn and Brayden Wilkins: Brian and Emma Dial; Kai Coalter; Wrynn Coalter, and the thirteenth great-grandchild expected soon.

Naomi was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle, where she formerly led the Sunday School Program and took great pride in her role on the Posey Cemetery Committee. A devoted animal lover, she always had dogs or cats as part of her family.  Her hobbies included bird watching and feeding  the many hummingbirds at her home. She also worked for many years as a clerk at Truman’s Supermarket in Posey and later at the Hoffman Supermarket, where she cherished the social interactions with her customers.

Above all, Naomi delighted in her family, from driving her children to various events in their youth to being an active presence in the lives of her grandchildren. Her love and dedication to her family will always be remembered.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Nordike Funeral Home in Carlyle, with Rev. Stacy Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia.

Visitation will be held at Nordike Funeral Home in Carlyle from 11:00 AM until the time of services on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Memorials made in memory of Naomi are suggested to the Posey Cemetery or Centralia Humane Society.