Norma Reavey

Norma Reavey was a wonderful and generous woman, who devoted her life to caring for her family and serving others. From greeting customers with a smile to teaching Sunday school and volunteering at the local hospital, Norma always made time for those gestures of kindness which mean so much. Normas generosity of spirit, devotion to her family, and true concern for others are an inspiration to those she leaves behind. She touched many hearts, and will be deeply missed. Norma was born on October 3, 1919, to proud parents Russell and Dora (Walley) Kelley. She was their firstborn, but before long she became a big sister to younger brother Russell Jr. The Kelley family lived in Muskegon, Michigan, where Russell Sr. worked at Muskegon Piston Ring. Norma attended Muskegon Public Schools, but by the time she was in high school the nation was in the grip of the Great Depression. Times were tough, and Norma had to drop out in eleventh grade. She found a job at Montgomery Wards Department Store, and her salary helped make ends meet at home. The following year, at the age of nineteen, Norma joined her father at the Muskegon Piston Plant. In her free time, Norma loved to dance everything from the waltz and the foxtrot to polka and square dancing. Her dance club of choice was the Hightower Pavilion/Dance Hall at West Lake, which she frequented with both her parents and her friends Almost without realizing it, Norma had grown into a beautiful young lady, and one day she caught the eye of a certain Howard Walter Etterman. Norma stopped in to buy something at the Etterman family grocery store, and the rest is history. Norma and Howard soon fell in love, and were married on May 24, 1940. The young couple made their first home in Getty Center, and later moved to a house next to Ettermans Supermarket. Together, they owned and operated the supermarket for fifteen years, from 1940 to 1965. In 1942, Norma mourned the death of her mother, Dora, who had been both mother and best friend to Norma. Although this was a difficult time for Norma, she drew comfort from the growth of her own family. As the years went by Norma and Howard were blessed with five children: George, Charles, Peggy Jo, Pamela Sue, and Phyllis Ann (sadly, Charles contracted dysentery and died in infancy). Norma and Howard were kept busy running a business and raising a family, but they made time for fun, too. Almost every Sunday afternoon, the whole Etterman family would pile into the car and drive to a roadside park for a picnic. Often, they were joined by Howards parents, Howards sister, Margaret, and her family fun times! In 1965, Norma and Howard sold the supermarket and relocated to North Muskegon. They then purchased Ettermans Norge Village Laundromat, located on the Four Corners in North Muskegon. Tragically, Howard suffered a heart attack not long after opening the laundromat, and passed away at the age of 50. Norma was left to run the business on her own, with help from her son-in-law, Jerry. She kept the business going for about 5 years, and then sold it. After selling the laundromat, Norma set off to see the world, and travelled with groups to destinations including Paris and Hawaii. She also used her newfound leisure to do volunteer work at Hackley Hospital of Muskegon. Norma was a lifelong member of Lakeside Baptist Church, and was always ready to help out around the church. She served in a variety of roles, including deaconess, Womens guild member, and Sunday school teacher. On May 3, 1980, Norma married long-time family friend, Joe Reavey, and welcomed his dog, Pedro, into the family. Norma and Joe shared many interests, including a love of traveling. They kept on the move, but generally stayed in the Midwest, visiting the Upper Peninsula and friends in Iowa. One of their favorite events of the year was the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk, which they participated in every Labor Day (as long as Joes health allowed). In 1993, Norma was delighted to become a great-grandma for the first time with the birth of her great-grandson, Bruce Jr. Bruce was followed by Brandon, Meaghan, Claire, Kierra, Cameron, Grayson, Jared, Chloe, Addison, Maelin, Cylie and Tayla Norma adored each and every one of them. In her free time, Norma enjoyed knitting, sewing, and adding to her doll collection. She was an avid bowler, and an enthusiastic member of the Womens bowling league (she was pretty good, too!). At home, Norma enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show, and tuned in every Saturday night without fail. Generous, kind, and hardworking, Norma was a wonderful wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to all. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered b her many friends and family members. Mrs. Norma Loy Reavey went home to the Lord, her Savior, at the age of 93 on January 6, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. Normas family includes her son, George (Jane) Etterman of Newaygo; her daughters, Peggy Jo (Jerry) Packard of N. Muskegon, Pamela (Roger) Gietzen of Little River, South Carolina, and Phyllis (Mike) Miller of Muskegon; her grandchildren, Robin (Guy) Hinton, Rochelle (Bruce) Fout, Renee (Gabe) Vlasma, Jason (Erica) Packard, Amanda Miller, Jennifer (Tom) Saltzman, and Jane Gietzen; and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard Etterman; her second husband, Joe Reavey, in 1998; her son, Charles; her brother, Russell Jr.; and her son-in-law Michael Miller. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, at Lakeside Baptist Church, with Rev. Leslie Lew officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, and on Wednesday, 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to Harbor Hospice or Lakeside Baptist Church. Please visit Normas personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.