Norma I. (Methner) Powell

Norma Powell, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at Rosebush Manor, surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at St. Henry Catholic Church with Father Thomas J. McNamara presiding. Following the luncheon, interment of her ashes will be in Calvary Cemetery at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home, 2300 S. Lincoln Rd., on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Rosebush Manor or Woodland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Norma was born Oct. 17, 1920, the daughter of Floyd and Leila (Gilbert) Methner. A graduate of Coleman High School in 1938, Norma was a member of the schools inaugural girls basketball team. She enjoyed cooking and sewing and had worked at Orens Fabric Store and the Fitting Image. She was a selfless woman, always with a positive attitude, who cared dearly for her family and friends. She married Bion Raymond on June 27, 1943 in Clare. Together they had a son, Jeff Raymond of Columbus, OH. After his accidental death in 1945, she married Francis Powell on January 22, 1948, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Seven additional children were born, six still surviving, Helen Powell of Littlefield Lake, Mike (Sherry) Powell of Mt. Pleasant, Jean (Roger) Pitts of Lake Isabella, Bill (Cindy) Powell of Beal City, Mark (Christa) Powell of Shepherd, Bob (Christie) Powell of Mt. Pleasant; 16 grandchildren, Heather (Bruce) Henshaw, Jessica and Shane (Sabrina) Sysak, Sarah (Skeeter) Bacome, and Cassie (Bob Shea) Sysak, Megan and Wade Powell, Lisa (Toby) Long and Aaron (Debbie) Harry, Rachel and Elizabeth Powell, Clint and Erica Oswald, Danielle and Katie Powell, and Justin Powell; nine great-grandchildren, Dylan Morrish and Isaiah Bacome, Aaron and Joshua Sysak, Chase, Norma, and Emma Long, and Brian and Rebecca Faas; sister, Sandra (Don) Moore of Clare; four sisters-in-law, Marian Methner of Mt. Pleasant, Nora Methner of Clare, Wanda Powell of Mt. Pleasant and Ann Walters of Raytown, MO; many nieces and nephews; and honorary son, Paul G. OConnell of Gaylord. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Bion Raymond; second husband Francis Powell in 1996; son, Patrick Powell in 1988; five brothers, Leroy, Floyd, Kenneth, Dean, and Sheldon Methner; two sisters, Helen Methner and Alma Tice-VanAelst. She will be sadly missed by the staff and friends of Rosebush Manor. The family wishes to extend their thanks for the care and friendship that was given to Norma the past four years while living there. A special thanks is also given to her brother-in-law, Don Moore for the joy he brought to Norma and her family.