Norma Plank Stevenson

Norma Plank Stevenson, age 96 and a resident of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, IN passed away on May 19, 2022. Born in Howard County, IN, on January 17, 1926, she was the daughter of David Ross and Gladys Felton Barber. She graduated from Ervin Township High School in 1944. After graduation, she attended Ball State Teacher's College majoring in music and business. She married Edwin L. Plank on January 12, 1946 at Young America Baptist Church in Young America, IN. They were married for 62 years. She completed her degree at IU Kokomo in 1974 and became a music and activity therapist at Howard Community Mental Health Center for seventeen years. Norma was musically gifted and played piano on the radio for several weekly programs and taught lessons at an early age. She was classically trained and able to play by ear. Her musical talent was widely used in Kokomo as an accompanist, and playing for the Betty Hayes School of Dance recitals, Tri Kappa Follies, Hullabaloos, and Civic Theatre while continuing to teach piano lessons at home. Norma retired to Lakeland, Florida where she lived for 26 years leading an extremely active life. She enjoyed playing tennis and bridge and played piano for her church and the Lakeland Symphony. She performed with several dance bands and led singalongs as well. Norma's faith started at an early age and continued as she taught Sunday School for over 25 years and sang in the church choir. She was a member of First Christian Church, Kokomo and First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, Florida. Norma had a passion for life and people! Her hobbies included creative scrapbooking, photography, and traveling the United States and overseas. In addition, she loved genealogy and co-authored a book about the Barber Family History. Norma still felt her greatest joy and sense of accomplishment was being a wife and mother of four children. Norma is survived by her husband of 4 years, David Stevenson; children Edwin (Polly) Plank of Argyle, TX, Julie (Mike) Martin of Warsaw, IN, and David (Kerin) Plank of Greensboro, NC; thirteen grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. Norma is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Edwin Plank; companion Don Mohler and daughter Jan Hall of Virginia Beach, VA. Services will be Wednesday May 25, 2022 12:00pm at Ellers Mortuary 3400 S. Webster Street Kokomo with visitation from 10:00am until time of service. Burial will follow at Center Cemetery in Galveston. Pastor Jeff Evans will officiate. Contributions may be made on Norma’s behalf to The Salvation Army 1357 W. 86th St. Indianapolis, IN 46260 or Grace Village Chapel Music Program 337 Grace Village Dr. Winona Lake, IN 46590. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Plank family.