Norma Morris

Norma Jean Morris entered the eternal presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 07:59 a.m. at IU Health Ball Memorial hospital after an extended illness. Norma was born on September 14, 1940, in Aultsville, Ontario, Canada, to Ethel (Canough) and Hugh Gillard. Norma was one of nine children: Bruce (Ruth) Gillard, Donald (Elizabeth) Gillard, Donalda (Stan) Hodgson, Robert "Rowdy" Gillard, Brian (Mary) Gillard, Ronnie Gillard, Wayne (Marie) Gillard, Hugh (Arnita) Gillard.

Norma earned her RN in Ottowa, Ontario and was working in Newfoundland when she met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Morris, as he served a tour with the United States Air Force. The two were married on September 7, 1968 in Morrisburg, Ontario then moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana and started their own family. There were seven children: Anthony (Nicole) of Muncie, IN, Aaron of Marion, IN, Adam (Courtney)of Delphi, IN, Andrew (Emiley) of Upland, IN, Allen "Casey" of Ft. Wayne, IN, Tamara (Spencer) of Van Buren, IN, and Christopher of Marion, IN, ten grandchildren: Gabriella (Jarell), Mackenzie, Caledonia (Mark), Coraleigh, Catalina, Loralei and Rilynn, SJ, Cole, Athena, one great grandchild: Amelia, and nearly two dozen foster children that were loved and cared for in their home over the years.

Norma was a member of Center Chapel Global Methodist Church in Marion, IN. While a homemaker for most of her married life, she returned to nursing at Blackford Community Hospital in Hartford City, Indiana later in life. She was a devoted mother, foster mom, friend, and confidant. While she was small in stature, she made up for it in her big personality and the way she fiercely loved others. Norma loved to watch birds, quilt, work jigsaw puzzles, and cook for her large family. She made the best homemade strawberry jam! She was an active volunteer in a community organization, Helping Hands,volunteering in their thrift shop weekly. With Christmas being her favorite holiday, she had a Christmas village on a permanent display thanks to Dick's creative engineering.

Together Dick and Norma shared a beautiful, Christ centered life. Dick preceded Norma in death on November 25, 2020. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Ethel Gillard, and siblings Hugh, Bruce, Donald, Donalda, and Wayne. While we grieve Norma's death, we don't grieve as those without hope because we know that absence from the body means being in the presence of the Lord. Norma will be greatly missed but we cling tightly to the promise that we will one day be reunited in Christ.

Arrangements for Norma have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Center Chapel Church, 8733 E. 200 S., Marion, Indiana 46953. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Mark Sanders officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Center Chapel Church or Hickory Grove Church, 9714 N. 700 W., Delphi, Indiana 46923. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.