Norma M. Perry

Norma Mae Gaines Perry passed from this life on February 17, 2026 at Heritage of Yorktown. She was born on May 12, 1931 to Asa and Bessie Garner Gaines in Port Huron, MI. She was one of seven children.

Her father worked as a lineman, spent time working for the railroad, and also farmed. Her mother was a dedicated schoolteacher who taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Norma was raised with the belief that hard work and devotion to one’s family were paramount. That guiding principle shaped her entire life, evident in the way she managed her household and lovingly raised her children. She learned early on to ‘make do with what you have or do without’ and presented a home filled with love, honor, respect, and Godly obedience. She was known as a gracious hostess and faithful friend and her home reflected her commitment to high quality and her life to Christian living.

She is survived by her children: Karen(Volker) of Yorktown, Ken(Sheri) of Muncie, Kay(Chris) of Greenwood.

Grandchildren: Sara Jaromin Fauquher, Ryan Jaromin(Laura) , Ross Perry(Alycia), Kristy Burch(Matthew), Katie Robison(Casey), Kyle Jaromin, Wesley Perry, Sophie Beck.

Great-Grandchildren: Colton, Carter, Ainsley Fauquher, Olivia and Mallory Jaromin, Riley and Gavin Burch, Lucy Robinson, Reid Perry.

She helped raise special nephews, Larry and Ray Sample, and thought of them as her own. Also surviving is her daughter-in-law, Debbie Perry Harper. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Ryburn and eldest son Kevin, both in 2010.

Norma was very witty and had a mischievous nature, always ready to find humor in everyday life. She approached life’s ups and downs with valor and a positive strategy, and she stood ready to help anyone who needed her.

In her church family, she was greatly loved and respected for her wisdom and faithful service and had been baptized into the Lord’s Church at an early age. She attended West Side Church of Christ in Yorktown. Norma retired from Ball State Library services. She kept busy gardening and canning and enjoying being with her grandchildren. She and Ryburn loved winters in Florida where they enjoyed a host of ‘snowbird friends’.

Norma was a biblical scholar and found scripture to be a guide, a comfort and a lifeline source of instruction. Those who knew her would be reminded of the scripture in Matthew 25:23, ‘His master said to him, ‘well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

A very special thank you to Heritage of Yorktown, Muncie Estates, and Heart to Heart Hospice for truly being her angels here on earth.

Funeral service for Norma will be held at Elm Ridge Mortuary at 1:00pm, Tuesday, February 24, 2026 with calling Monday February 23, from 5pm-7pm, and one hour prior to services on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions can be made to West Side Church of Christ, 6600 W. Kilgore Ave, Yorktown, IN 47396