Norma Jean Lawrence, age 95, of rural Portland passed away on Wednesday November 12, 2025 in Crown Pointe in Portland. She was born in Blackford County on October 28, 1930 the daughter of Walter and Letha Pearl (Ford) Knox. She was a 1948 graduate of Roll High School, worked in school cafeteria at Poling and Bloomfield schools, managed Essen Platz Restaurant at Amishville for thirteen years and worked for Bearcreek Farms for twenty years. She was a member of Bryant Senior Citizens , Bryant Wesleyan Church and Jay County Hospital Aux.
Surviving is three sons William “Bill” Lawrence of Bluffton, Charles Lawrence (wife Sheryl) of Portland and John Lawrence (wife Kelli) of Portland, three daughters Patricia Frazee (husband Ralph) of Pennville, Roberta “Robin” Myers (husband Dave) of Bryant and Martha Hogg of Linn Grove, 20 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren
She was preceded in death by sisters Ellen Knox and Betty Hardt and son in law Randy Hogg
Funeral services will be Monday November 17th at 10:00 AM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Van Cise presiding. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories in Muncie. Visitation will be Sunday from 12:00 – 3:00 PM in the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Jay County Cancer Society.
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