Norman G. Sumney, 84, of Grand Junction, Colo., formerly of Lima, died at 12:38 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Aspen Ridge Alzheimer's Center, Grand Junction, Colo.
He was born Aug. 21, 1926, in Bluffton to Wilbur G. and Ruth L. Faze Sumney, who preceded him in death. On Dec. 26, 1944, he married Helen L. Lusk, who died Oct. 30, 2006. They were married 62 years.
Mr. Sumney retired from Ford Motor Co. in Lima as a machine repairman. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a seaman first class and was stationed at Port Chicago, Calif.
He graduated from Lafayette High School. He served several years on the Bath Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Fort Amanda Lodge 706, Free and Accepted Masons, and was a member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 54, in Lima. Growing up on a farm, he continued his love of gardening through the years.
Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl K. Ferguson, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Cathy L. Dula, of Merritt Island, Fla.; a sister, Jean Sutton, of Lima; three sisters-in-law, Marilyn Sandy, Mamie Lusk and Mary Jean Sumney, all of Lima; a granddaughter, Julie Dula, of Merritt Island, Fla.; three grandsons, Andrew Dula, of Merritt Island, Fla., Tadd (Gisela) Ferguson, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Brent (Elizabeth) Ferguson, of Lawrence, N.J.; a granddaughter-in-law, Jennie Ferguson, of Columbus; and four great-grandchildren, Maya and Quinn Ferguson, of Lawrenceville, N.J., and Liam and Rowan Ferguson, of Grand Junction, Colo.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Douglass Ferguson, who died in May 2009; a sister, Alberta Elwood; and two brothers, Fred Sumney and Wilbur Sumney Jr.
Services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, March 18, at Chiles-Laman Funeral Homes, Lewis Chapel. Brent and Elizabeth Ferguson will officiate. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Uniopolis, with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275.
Friends may call from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the funeral home, where a Masonic memorial service will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, 200 E. High St., Second Floor, Lima, OH 45801.
