Smallwood dies at 77

PRINCETON — Lowell “Bodie” Smallwood always had a joke to tell. With a twinkle in his eye, he embraced life and made sure those around him always found joy when he was around. Perhaps it was that zest for life that helped Smallwood understand grief more than most.

After years of helping people find rest in those times of grief, Smallwood, owner of the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton, is now at rest himself.

Smallwood, owner of the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton, died Sunday at the Kindred Hospital in Sycamore. He was 77.

Princeton Mayor Keith Cain remembered Smallwood as not just a community leader but also as a personal friend.

Cain said he and Smallwood would see each other several times a week at Ye Olde Underground Inn restaurant, and they’d always take the time to visit a bit. He’d known Smallwood for about 30 years and considered him a good friend, the mayor said.

“Bodie was always joking around with everyone. He had that way about him,” Cain said. “He was always razzing me about something. I’ll miss that. He was a lot of fun to be around. He had a ton of friends and was a great friend of mine.”

Cain remembered how Smallwood liked to go fishing on the Gulf and would always bring back oysters for people. He also liked his gardens and his turnips, Cain said. Everyone got turnips from Bodie Smallwood, Cain said.

Smallwood was also a very community-minded man. Smallwood served on numerous local organizations and boards, including the Princeton Park Board, Princeton Rotary, Princeton Youth Baseball League Board and the Elks Lodge. Serving his community was just part of who Bodie Smallwood was, the mayor said.

Roger Swan of Princeton talked about Smallwood’s commitment to his community. Swan served with Smallwood in the Princeton Rotary Club and in various other capacities throughout the years. Smallwood had 48 years of perfect attendance with the Princeton Rotary.

“I’ve been a lifelong friend of Bodie. We did a lot together with the Rotary Club. Especially in his younger years, he was very active,” Swan said.

Swan also talked about Smallwood’s hobbies, mentioning his huge garden and his love for deep sea fishing outside of New Orleans.

“He was just a nice guy and a very community-oriented. He will be a loss to the community. He knew everybody and was very active in all kinds of situation. He was just a great guy,” Swan said.

Lee Pence, another long-time friend of Smallwood, also talked about the lasting impact of Bodie Smallwood on his life.

The two men, who met shortly after Pence moved to Princeton in 1960, would get together every Wednesday night with Dick DeBord and Rex Hunter to play pitch at each other’s homes. Pence and Smallwood were partners in those card games. Those were fun nights, Pence said.

In their earlier years, Pence and Smallwood both coached separate Little League and Pony League teams. As a coach, Smallwood was very knowledgeable and fair, and he never complained. Win or lose, Smallwood was a good sport, Pence added.

For years, the two friends also went on many fishing trips together to Wisconsin, just about every spring.

Just like Cain and Swan, Pence remembered Smallwood as a man who loved to garden. He always had a big garden in back of his business, the Norberg Memorial Home, where he grew lots of vegetables. When the main crop was finished, Smallwood would till up some of the garden to plant turnips. Bodie Smallwood always had a turnip to give away, Pence said.

“Bodie was very personable and generous. He had a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” Pence said. “Bodie liked people and was friendly to everyone. You knew he was always willing to help you out any way he could. Bodie Smallwood was the kind of man who never had enemies.”

Long-time friend Max Coville was quick to comment on Smallwood’s character.

“He was the best friend I ever had. He was a nice guy. I worked for him for 22 1/2 years at Norbergs. He was a nice fellow to work for. I enjoyed being with him,” Coville said, adding the two were also friends away from Norbergs.

“We used to be camping buddies. His family and my family used to camp when the kids were growing up ... You could always have fun with Bodie. We had a wonderful time with him and his family, hunting and fishing. He sure will be missed by everyone. He was a great fellow and nice to be with. We’re all going to miss him,” he said.

Funeral service for Smallwood will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Norberg Memorial Home, with burial to follow in the Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, at the funeral home.