Norma R. Mitschelen, 88, formerly of Nappanee, Ind., died, after a short illness at 9:54 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2013, at Lakeland Rehabilitation Center in Milford, Ind., where she had resided the last 5 ½ years.

She was born May 29, 1925, near Nappanee to Ralph and Martha (Housouer) Hartman. On Aug. 9, 1957, she married Kenneth L. Mitschelen in Middlebury, Ind. He preceded her in death Dec. 30, 2008.

She was a lifetime area resident. Norma was a United States Navy Veteran. She had served at Bunker Hill Navel Station in Bunker Hill, Ind.

Norma loved her grandchildren and enjoyed the Cubs and fishing. She had been active in Camp Fire Girls and helped start Nappanee girls softball. She was a lifetime member of the VFW and Nappanee American Legion, where she had been active in Poppy sales. While at the nursing home, Norma made and gave away over 100 baby blankets.

She is survived by her daughter: Dixie Shrock, Goshen, Ind.; a son: Chuck (Darcey) Mitschelen, Nappanee; grandchildren: William (Keri) Mitschelen and Andrew (Kelsey) Mitschelen, both of Nappanee; Randall (Bryn) Mitschelen, Wakarusa, Ind.; Christi Koronkiewicz, Tampa, Fla.; Stacy (Chris) Bennett, Bristol, Ind.; eight great-grandchildren; sisters: Shirley Stahly, Nappanee; Carol (Joe) Schrock, Farmington, N.M.; Mim Warner, Chandler, Ariz.; Sharon (Lowell) Chapman, Syracuse, Ind.; brothers: Robert Hartman, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Willard “Bill” (Ruth) Hartman, Syracuse; and Frank (Janet) Hartman, Nappanee.

She was preceded in death by a son: William T.; sisters: Lois Cornell and June McDonald; and brothers: Lloyd M., Charles E. and Ralph “Dick” Hartman.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home and officiated by Rev. Tyler Hartford, pastor at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Goshen. Burial with Military Graveside services by the Nappanee American Legion will be in Union Center Cemetery.