Norma Jean Whiteman

Norma Jean Whiteman, 91, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully surrounded by family during the morning hours of June 3, 2024. 

She was born September 20, 1932, the daughter of Sherman Austin and Lula (Knapp) Austin.

Norma will be remembered for being a good mother and grandmother, helping to raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a faithful church attendee when she was able to get out. She loved grilled food. Steak was her favorite. Norma was very famous for her cooking and baking and fed many people over the years. If anyone visited the farm, it was "required" that they sit down with everyone and eat a hearty meal. She absolutely loved being a dental assistant/receptionist, because she really cared about the patients. She made many great friends during her time at the Dentist Office. She always had beautiful gardens and flowers. 

Norma was an animal lover and had a lamb named Lamb Chop that she loved, she had a small dog, Lacy, and her small dog, Bella is surviving. 

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Rod) Cole of Grass Lake, MI; son, Steven C. Whiteman of Lawrence, MI; four grandsons, Chase Whiteman, Sr. of Lawrence, MI, Christopher (Tiffany) Whiteman of Grand Junction, CO, Gregory Whiteman of Paw Paw, MI, and Andrew (Caitlin) Sanborn-Whiteman of Portage; four granddaughters, Crystal of Kalamazoo, MI, Lisa (Rich) Geishart of Rifle, CO, Tammy Matthews of Grass Lake, MI and Alana (Craig) Sandborn of Lawrence; four great grandsons, Chase Whiteman, Jr. of Colorado, Colt Whiteman of Grand Junction, CO, Evan Geishart of Rifle, CO, and Matthew Whiteman;  five great granddaughters, Olivia and Amelia of Grass Lake, MI, Claire and Ember of Lawrence, and Eila of Portage; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Whiteman; daughter, Carol Dyer; son, Alan Whiteman, sisters, Dorothy Ewald and Clara Labadie and brothers, Volney Austin and Harlo Austin. 

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Lawrence United Methodist Church, 122 S. Exchange Street, Lawrence. Norma will be laid to rest at Hill Cemetery at a later date.  An additional memorial service will be held the first week of August, date to be announced.