Obituary: 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 Sept. 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 like a steak and a cold beer. Norma was very famous for her cooking and baking and fed many people over the years. If anyone visited the farm, it was “required” to 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.
She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Rod Cole) Cole of Grass Lake, MI; son, Steven C. Whiteman of Lawrence; three grandsons, Chase Whiteman of Lawrence, Christopher (Tiffany) Whiteman of Grand Junction, CO, and Gregory Whiteman of Paw Paw; two granddaughters, Crystal of Kalamazoo, and Lisa (Rich) Cole of Grass Lake, MI; two great-grandsons, Chase Whiteman, Jr. of Lawrence, and Colt Whiteman of Grand Junction, CO; and great-granddaughters, Olivia Cole of Grass Lake, MI, and Alana.
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 a.m., Friday, June 28, at Lawrence United Methodist Church, 122 S. Exchange Street, Lawrence. Norma will be laid to rest at Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, at a later date.