Norma Jean Degarmo

Norma Jean DeGarmo, 88, passed on peacefully on May 10, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Canton Ohio on March 18, 1927 to the late Raymond and Hazel (Mannweiler) Halter. She was a 1945 graduate of Canton Lincoln HS where she proudly performed with the Lincoln Rockettes. While employed as a secretary for the Timken Company she met Paul DeGarmo, and after his service in WWII they began a 64year marriage until his passing in 2012. A founding member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish, she served her church in many roles including time as president of St. Michael's Guild. She organized and performed in countless activities and fundraisers from 1958 – 1978, singing, tap dancing, sewing costumes and writing corny jokes, and was a dedicated member of the St. Michael's Choir for 50 years. She was an active member of the Junior Coterie Club of Canton for which she also served as president. Norma was a well-known lover and protector of all animals, from stray or wounded pets, to neighborhood birds and ground critters, to the wild deer for which she prayed when her sons went on hunting trips. She was also loved for her decades of flawlessly remembering and celebrating everyone's' birthdays and special anniversaries with thoughtfully selected greeting cards. She wholeheartedly believed in life's celebrations. The priests and nuns of St. Joseph's and St. Michael's were treated to her gift baskets often, and her children received stuffed Christmas stockings and filled Easter baskets into their 50's and 60's. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Paul Hilliard DeGarmo, her daughter JoAnn Snyder, her son John (Leslie) DeGarmo, brothers Robert (Goldie) and John (Jay) Halter, her sisters Thelma (Ralph) Ross, Joan (Bob) Poffenbaugh and Eileen (William) Piatt, and her best friends Marcella and Paul Clary. She is survived by her sons Jim (Alica), Paul (Elaine), Tom (Joanne) and Ray (Gail) DeGarmo; her daughters Jackie DeGarmo (David Beasley) and Denese (Ed) Alexsonshk; son-in-law Russ Snyder; and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Plain Township with Father Don King, Pastor, as celebrant. Calling hours will be held two hours before services at the church. Her remains will be buried with her husband's at Western Reserve National Cemetery in a private ceremony. The family would like to thank Mom and Dad's wonderful neighbors, Lou and Bonnie Eustathios, for their loving assistance over these last few years, the caregivers at Aultman, Aultman Hospice, and Bethany, especially Dr. Betsy Baum, and express our deepest gratitude to friends and family for their support and prayers over the last several weeks. Her brothers and sister would also like to thank Denese and her husband Ed for sharing with Mom their warm and wonderful family–filled home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Norma's name to St. Michael's Parish or to the JoAnn DeGarmo Snyder Scholarship at Walsh University.