Norma J. Koontz

Norma J. Koontz, 78 of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2009, at her residence in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, at First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Court, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends is Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home or Cartel Inns of Lakeland Activity Fund. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Norma was born on November 10, 1930, in Lafayette, Indiana to Joseph and Margaret (Thompson) Maxwell. She married Willis F. Koontz, on August 15, 1953 in Muncie, IN. Norma was in education most of her life, retiring as a teacher in 1991. She worked at the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library and also helped as an aid tutoring in Benton Harbor Schools. Norma belonged to the AAUW, Civic Benefit, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, was an active member of her church and volunteered at the Soup kitchen. Her favorite pastime was visiting her grandchildren and family. Norma is survived by a son Tony (Sue) Koontz of Edwardsburg, MI; two daughters; Lynn (Mike) Cumberpatch of Annapolis, MD, Patricia (David) Ankli of Chuluota, FL; eight grandchildren – Stephanie & Allison Koontz; Kate & Chris Cumberpatch; Margee, Dave, Sarah & Amy Ankli; and a sister Patricia (James) Kunnen Arlington Heights, IL; Sister-in-law Nancy Maxwell; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Willis F. Koontz on May 5, 1982