Norma DeMerit

MARION, VIRGINIA: NORMA JEAN PARKER DEMERIT, age 88, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, Tennessee. Norma Jean grew up in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania and attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio. She served as a Lieutenant Army Nurse during World War II and was stationed in England. While working for the Veteran's Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida, she became a nurse to Merrill DeMerit, Jr., whom she would later marry. Norma later worked as a psychiatric nurse for the Veteran's Hospitals in Dayton, Ohio and St. Louis, Missouri. Norma Jean was an extraordinary, ordinary woman whose enthusiasm and zest for life brought joy to those around her. She touched so many lives and hearts in her career, her friendships, her church and community. Norma possessed an outward beauty, an inner strength, and an ability to love the best in those around her. Her spirit lives in our hearts and minds as we celebrate her life. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ray Hasenau, her second husband, Merrill DeMerit, Jr, and a son, Jon DeMerit. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Doctor Ralph Parks of Marion, Virginia and Margaret "Peg" Merit Morgan and William Morgan of Brisbane, Australia; one son and daughter-in-law, James and Anna DeMerit of St Louis, Missouri; one sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Howard Wilkinson of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion, Virginia with Rev. Jonathan Jonas officiating. Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in the Chapel of Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norma DeMerit Spay-Neuter Fund, 122 N Sheffey Street, Marion, Virginia 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the DeMerit Family.