Norma Shoup

1929 - 2017

Norma J. Shoup, 88 of Valparaiso passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017. She was born June 26, 1929 in Valparaiso, the daughter of Harold and Lelia (Miller) Shoup. She graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1947 and worked for the local telephone company during school and briefly thereafter. Her adventurous spirit shone through in her youth, as she traveled west in 1948 taking a job with the Union Pacific Railroad for a few years, attending an airline training school in Omaha, NE, and serving with the U.S. Air Force for three years. In 1960 Norma purchased a new car and began driving solo to California. Along the way she made contact with a former beau and picked up company to help pay for gas. Her romantic interlude led to a brief marriage centered in Omaha around the schedule of the Union Pacific's "Denver Zephyr". Her husband's failure to be forthcoming resulted in her return to Valparaiso and reacquisition of her maiden name. By her choice, his name will remain lost to the ages. Norma quickly became a maker and connoisseur of doughnuts working for her aunt in Michigan City at Spudnuts Doughnut Shop. This expertise quickly led her to become manager of The Donut Hut in Valparaiso form 1972-78, a local hangout on East Lincolnway. From 1978 until her retirement in 1994, she served on the line and as a checker with R.W. Poole & Company. Norma's upbeat spirit and candid observations through life's school of hard knocks has endeared her to many in the community. She was a member of the Valparaiso First United Methodist Church, assisted with their services at Pines Village, served as a Mentor at Central Elementary School, had volunteered three years to deliver Meals-on-Wheels and spent time at the Senior Friendship Center. Survivors include her sister, Dorothy Angle of Phoenix, AZ, brother, Chester Michaels of Desert Hot Springs, CA, nieces and nephews: Deborah Lovins of Hamlet, Diana Hayes of Westville, Bill (Margaret) Bond of Texas, Steve Bond of Arizona, JoAnna (Kent) Tolley of Idaho, Sarah Weisling of Arizona, 15 great nieces and nephews; and godson, Don (Christine) McLean. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Byron Shoup. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso, 103 N. Franklin Street, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 with visitation from 9:00 am until the time of the service followed by burial at Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the First United Methodist Church.