Sept. 16, 1927 - Oct. 28, 2008

Norma Jean Immel, 81, of Lebanon went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday.

She was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., the daughter of Walter and Lillian (Hood) Ridinger. She graduated from Walnut High School in Walnut, Ill. After graduation, she married Gail Immel on Nov. 28, 1945.

Gail and Norma lived briefly in Illinois before moving to Crawfordsville. In 1959 they moved to their farm in Sodaville, where she lived the remainder of her life.

Her greatest love of life was her family and extended family. She was loved by everyone who knew her.

She will be greatly missed by her family and all those whose life she touched. She was a mom and grandma to a large extended family.

Norma's great-granddaughter Tawny inspired her to write two books about Keiko the orca whale. She was very involved with Keiko while he was in Newport. She spent several years traveling around Oregon visiting school children reading her stories. When the decision was made to move him, she was invited to go along with him on the trip to Iceland. This was a major highlight in her life.

Norma was a musician as well as an accomplished artist and author. She loved farming, raising cattle and horses and especially her flower gardens.

Norma attended the Sodaville Evangelical Church.

She is survived by her husband, Gail of Lebanon; sons Dick Immel and wife Sheila of Crawfordsville, Don Immel and wife Connie of Lebanon, and Ron Immel and wife Sue of Lebanon; daughters Sally Honeywell Carpenter and husband Steve, and Renee Paetsch and husband Jeff, all of Lebanon; brothers Robert Ridinger and wife Eldene of Ashland, and Don Ridinger and wife Debbie of Branson, Mo.; sister Nancy Roberts and husband John of Lakeside; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Philip.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Sodaville Evangelical Church, a potluck celebration of life will follow the service. Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements.