Norma Homan

Norma “Jean” Homan was a woman who exemplified all things a mother should be. She was fun loving, patient and generous with her time. Jean never thought twice about going out of her way to help someone who needed her. Her family was the center of the world, and she would have devoted every moment to her grandchildren, if time allowed.

Many people today believe that times are tough, but in 1930, our country was in the depths of the Great Depression. People were without jobs and many families waited in long lines for sometimes their only meal of the day, a bowl of soup. The country was rampant with despair and many one-time wealthy men could only afford to purchase hope. However, Gerald and Fay (Waits) Spealman were content living on their farm in Fulton, Michigan. Already the proud parents of a daughter, Joyce, on June 8, 1930, they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Norma “Jean”. Joyce and Jean were later joined by sister Geraldine and twins, Max and Maxine.

Growing up, Jean loved farm life and all its animals. There were always chores to do from milking cows and feeding pigs to riding the farm equipment, but she would tackle them with joy. The farm afforded many opportunities for fun, especially in the wintertime when Jean loved to run around in the snow in her swimsuit – and there is a picture to prove it. Jean also had the self-appointed responsibility of caring for Max, her little brother. Besides the farm, Jean was also a dedicated student at Leggett Elementary School where she enjoyed being in the school spelling bees. She went on to graduate from Athens High School in 1947.

It was the summer of 1947 and Roy “Junior” Homan was freshly discharged from the United States Navy. It wasn't all that long before Jean met Junior at the local swimming hole. She accepted a ride home from the handsome sailor who was 3 years her senior, and before she could get out of the car, she accepted a date. Being from similar backgrounds, they seemed to have a lot in common and were soon an exclusive couple. They courted for two years and were married on an unusually hot summer day at Jean's parents' house in Fulton on July 11, 1948. For the next 54 years, they would share both the good times and the struggles of marriage as they would raise their children in their home on 38th Street that Junior built himself in which much of the lumber was forested from the property's 20 acres. Her loss was great at his passing on June 15, 2003.

While Junior worked hard to support the family, Jean stayed at home to raise their four children: Denis born in 1950, Diane born in 1951, Lynn born in 1953 and Steve born in 1955. With the “can do” attitude of a young woman who had grown up during the Great Depression, Jean proved to be a very able homemaker. Often times in the summer, she would pick a variety of fruits from the neighbor’s fruit farm, but didn’t look forward to strawberry picking. She was also a wonderful cook, and her family was treated to many delicious meals, only made from scratch. A caring and attentive mother, Jean took a very active role in every phase of her children’s lives. From 4H to PTA, Jean’s passion was to support her family. Although she was the disciplinarian, Lynn remembers his mother being a lot of fun too! Junior and Jean always worked hard and sacrificed much to give their children the best they could. As they grew older and started lives of their own, eventually one by one all of their grown children returned to the house for short periods to live with Junior and Jean. The reasons and the circumstances were various, but the door was always open. It was during this time that a new and different relationship with the children developed.

Besides caring for her family, Jean found time for work and leisure activities too. At the age of forty-three, Jean became a student again. She began training at Upjohn Home Healthcare to be an EMT. Prior to her training, she volunteered as a Licensed Ambulance Attendant for the Vicksburg Ambulance Service, now known as South County Ambulance. When not working, she and Junior and their families enjoyed spending time at their cottage in Grand Marias in the Upper Peninsula. Many memorable trips were made to Grand Marais to see the Pictured Rocks on the South Shore of Lake Superior and to the Soo Locks. Wherever they were, Jean immensely enjoyed watching the many different kinds of birds and their various habitats.

In later years, Jean became a grandmother and what a loving grandmother she was. Being retired, she had plenty of time to spend with her 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She tried to teach each of them some handy sewing skills, but especially looked forward to being at their special events, even if it meant going to Canada. Her great grandson, Joshua, affectionately called her “Grandma Two Tractors.” It seems there were always giggles and laughter in the air when Grandma Jean was around. As always, family remained the cornerstone of her life.

The one thing that upheld Jean throughout her life was her strong faith in God. She was an active member of the Wakeshma Baptist Church from the age of fourteen until it closed. She then became an instrumental member of the Factoryville Bible Church and its outreach ministry, Camp Elvin. It always brought her great comfort when listening to her favorite hymns – Amazing Grace and “This world isn’t my home, I am only passing through.” A positive and spiritual woman, Jean never had a bad thing to say about anyone and accepted people for their own unique and individual qualities. Jean shared her “grandmotherly” love, laughter and inspiration with many people who truly needed her to brighten their day.

Norma Jean Homan passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2004. She is survived by three sons: Steve and his wife Debbie of Vicksburg, Denis and his wife Karen of Fulton, and Lynn and his wife Jerrie of Toronto, Ontario; a daughter: Diane and her husband Steven Wendorf of Battle Creek; 11 grandchildren: Elisabeth, Bethany, Julia, Scott, Chad, Jason, Sarah, Sharon, Susanna, Gregory and Jennifer; three great grandchildren: Joshua, Amy and Michel.

Learn more about Jean’s life story, and visit with her family and friends on Tuesday, May 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall, and Gren, Vicksburg Chapel. The essence of Jean’s life will be celebrated at her Celebration of Life Service at the Factoryville Bible Church on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 10 a.m. Please visit Jean’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory of her, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Factoryville Bible Church – Camp Elvin.