Norma Jean Best, 80
Born: Aug. 21, 1932
Died: Sept. 16, 2012

Norma Jean Best, 80, of Huntly Road in Niles, died Sunday evening, Sept. 16, 2012, at her home, unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

She was born on Aug. 21, 1932, in Cheboygan to Richard and Bertha (Lannoo) LaPlaunt, and graduated from Cheboygan High School. She came to Niles in 1953, and was employed at Simplicity Pattern Company for 40 years before retirement.

Norma attended Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. She enjoyed the fellowship of her neighborhood, including monthly dining together, but her greatest joy was her family who loved and cared for her daily.

In 1954 in South Bend, she married Carl C. Best, who preceded her in death on June 11, 1993. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, William LaPlaunt.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Pamela (and Rick) Woods, Sharon (and Fred) Krueger and Carla (and Chris) Linville, all of Niles; grandchildren, Kevin Krueger, Troy (and Hollie) Krueger, Lindsay Krueger, Shelby Linville, Jared Woods, and Haley Linville; step-grandchildren Amy Archer and Brad Krueger; great-grandchildren, Drew, Black, Aislinn, and Levi; step-great-grandchildren, Chris, Zach, Jake Emily, and Brayden; and Norma’s brothers, Richard LaPlaunt of Rogers City, Michigan and Robert LaPlaunt of Alpena; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Norma Best will gather privately Sunday, Sept. 23, with relatives and friends at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles for a reading of the Catholic Funeral Liturgy by the Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church.

Committal will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Norma may be made to the American Diabetes Association.