Norma J. Appell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norma Jean Appell on October 11, 2023.

Norma was born at home on June 12, 1932, to the late George and Katherine Strbich.  She attended Margaret Park Grade School and graduated from South High School in 1950.  Norma worked at O'Neil's and after taking night courses at the University of Akron, she went on to become the secretary for the Assistant Comptroller and Comptroller of Firestone Tire & Rubber.

Norma loved all kinds of music, Latin in particular, and sang in choirs in school and in both the Serbian Orthodox and Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed trips to Amish country, she was a wonderful cook, and she was quite a seamstress, too. And, she loved all things QVC!

A mutual friend introduced Norma and her late husband Jim in the lobby at Firestone one day. She was immediately impressed with his well-polished shoes, but more importantly, his kindness.  They were married on April 8, 1961, and shared 58 years together before Jim passed away on June 22, 2019.  They were avid Ohio State fans and were season ticket holders for over 50 years, attending both home and away games, and Bowl games, too. Norma was a member of The Brown Street Church of Christ for over 55 years.  Their congregation became her family.  She was quite a gem, truly a special lady, and dearly loved by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, and her husband Jim, Norma was preceded in death by her sister, Donna (Don) Chudanov; sister-in-law; Evelyn (Bruce) Seckman; and niece, Connie Swords.  She will be deeply missed by her brother Mel (Marie) Strbich; nieces and nephews, Cindy (Ray) Moliter, Bill Chudanov, Drs. Steven (Connie) Strbich, Mary Ann Rummell, Janet Catalano, Sue (Jim) Tate, Linda (Bob) Willison, Brian (Kim) Seckman; many great nieces and nephews; as well as all of her wonderful friends at The Brown Street Church of Christ.

A funeral service will be held at NOON on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, Ohio 44319 with Evangelist Don Wright officiating.  Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 11 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Interment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park.  Memorial contributions can be made in Norma’s name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959.  To leave a special message for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.

SCHERMESSER
(330) 899-9107
www.schermesserfh.com

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