Norma Jean (Keyton) David

Norma Jean David, 95, of Greentown, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy rooted in faith, family, hard work, and joy. Born into a farming family, Norma Jean was the beloved daughter of Chandler and Audrey Keyton and began her life working in the fields with her father at a young age-driving grain trucks, cultivating the land, planting tomatoes, and even farming with horses. Later she continued farming alongside her devoted husband, becoming a hardworking partner in the fields and in life. Norma Jean married the love of her life Frederick Austin David on September 15th, 1947, who proceeded her in death. They were married 74 years.  Her strong work ethic and practical skills were matched only by her generous spirit and warm smile.

Throughout her life, Norma Jean held many roles in the community. She worked alongside Gene Malott in his jewelry and watch store in Greentown and spent over 30 years bringing beauty into people's lives as a florist at Carriage Manor. Auctions brought her joy, and she was proud to work with Roy Crume Auctioneers. As a curator and board member of the Greentown Glass Museum, she shared her deep knowledge and love of Greentown Glass with visitors and neighbors alike. Norma Jean had a gift for nurturing others-whether through her cooking, her singing, or her joyful presence. She served countless students while working in the kitchen at Taylor Schools and was a dedicated election worker for many years. Her chocolate cake with marshmallow icing, dumplings, banana pudding, red hot sugar cookies, and award-winning pumpkin torte cake were legendary. She served and organized many meals for her beloved Meridian St. Christian Church family and delighted in canning, gardening, making jelly, and freezing corn. She found great happiness in her travels to Florida, Shipshewana, Fort Wayne Vera Bradley trips, and vacationing with dear friends June and Joe Mason, and Barbara and Charlie Maple. She loved spending time with her lifelong friend Carolyn Howell whom she met at age 5.  Norma Jean also shared her musical talent with the Midi-Blenders group and sang with her sisters and brother, spreading joy through her voice. Norma Jean embraced simple pleasures: weekly hair appointments for her grandmother Della Golding, shopping for cross necklaces, browsing dishes and cookbooks, doing word find puzzles, crafting beaded socks, and collecting notebooks, pens, and bags-especially those with a bit of sparkle. Her love for "bling" was well known, from her shoes to her handbags. With her broom in hand, she even chased geese from her yard-a small but memorable example of her spunky spirit. Ever organized and thoughtful, she dated everything she owned and lovingly noted where it came from. Norma Jean’s life was full of family, friends, service, joy, laughter, and music.

Norma Jean is survived by her loving daughters Nancy Coomer and Jennifer Smith (Hal); her cherished grandchildren Abbee Summers (Michael), Nathan Coomer (Jennifer), and Dawn Fields (Rick); and her beloved great-grandchildren Keyton Romero Clark (Dylan), Kaeden Romero, Kamryn Romero, Harlowe Summers, Nolen Summers, Irelyn Summers, Olivia Coomer, and Owen Coomer. She is also lovingly remembered by her extended grandchildren and great- grandchildren: Joshua, Ashleigh and Mia McGinnis; Jordyn, Thad, Cayden, and Addyson Hall; Austin Anderson and Carlee Anderson.

She is survived by her dear sisters Milda Cheek (Floyd) and Carol Sue Hensler (Max), and Darwin Keyton (Linda). Norma Jean’s legacy of kindness, hard work, and joy lives on in each of them in the love she shared so freely.

Norma Jean was greeted in heaven by her loving husband Frederick David, son-in-law Dan Coomer, and her beloved granddaughter Aimee McCollum Romero as well as her great-grandson Nelson Frederick Summers.  Also proceeding her in death, her parents Chandler and Audrey Keyton, sister Martha Lou Zirkle (Richard), and mother-in-law Margaret Pulley.

Services celebrating Norma Jean’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 East Main Street, Greentown, with Pastor Paul Nicholson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with family from 3-7 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2025, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home in Greentown. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meridian Street Christian Church, 205 N. Meridian Street, Greentown, IN 46936. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Century Villa Healthcare for their compassionate care and support during Norma Jean’s stay.

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