Aug. 29, 1939 – Dec. 28, 2017

Norma Jean Sherwood, 78, of Niles, died peacefully Thursday morning, Dec. 28, 2017, at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana following and extended illness.

She was born on Aug. 29, 1939, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, to Richard John and Ruth Amelia (Hendershott) Bedell. She was graduated from Niles High School with the first class to graduate from the new school. She was employed for many years in the offices of the former Niles store of Montgomery-Ward, and has lived in Niles all of her life.

She was a member of the Mapleview Free Methodist Church in Niles, and of the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society and the Saint Joseph Valley Old Engine Association. She volunteered for many years in the entries office of the Berrien County Youth Fair. She enjoyed practicing homemaking skills – as a seamstress, making clothing for her family – and as a baker, baking bread and pies, and the annual Christmas Cookie baking marathon. She also enjoyed camping with her family in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

On June 22, 1957, in Niles, she married Walter Howard Sherwood with whom she celebrated the 46th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Aug. 28, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Richard Bedell, and by two brothers, Dennis Bedell on Nov. 2, 2008, and Richard Bedell on May 10, 1992.

Surviving family includes her children, Susan (& Stephen Gruber, Jr.) Sherwood, Barbara (Robert) Passig, and Tim (Mitzi) Sherwood, all of Niles; grandchildren Levi Passig, Adam Passig, Brittney Passig, and Ryan (Angie) Sherwood; great-granddaughter, Amelia; and Norma’s sister, Kathy (Gary) Luster of Niles and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Norma Sherwood will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Greg Rensberry of Mapleview Free Methodist Church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, at the funeral home, beginning at 2 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Norma may be made to the Mapleview Free Methodist Church, 1837 Niles-Buchanan Road, Niles, MI 49120; or to the Berrien County Youth Fair Premium Fund, 9122 U.S. 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.