Darlene Jeanette (Meki) Norman

Darlene Jeanette Norman, 83, passed away peacefully with her family at home on September 12, 2023.  She was born October 15, 1939 in Paw Paw, Michigan to John Joseph Meki and Verna Marie Lula Meki. 

Darlene was a Professor at Saint Mary of the Woods College from 1982 to 2011 and was the Assistant Superintendent of the Vigo County Parks Department from 1990 until retiring in 2009.

Survivors include her sister, Judy Hartz Sweeko of Crown Point, Indiana;  three sons, Mark Alan Norman of Plainfield, Indiana; David Lee Norman (Jonie) of Terre Haute, and John Stephen Norman of Terre Haute; five grandchildren, Zachary Norman, Elizabeth Norman, and Austin Norman all of Terre Haute, Megan Norman Millspaugh (Joe) of Vincennes, Indiana, and Eric Herron (Kim) of Clarksville, Tennessee; five great grandchildren, Chase Fitzek, Jayda Millspaugh, and Brynley Millspaugh of Vincennes, Indiana, and T.K. Herron and Liam Herron of Clarksville, Tennessee; one great-great grandson, Osias Asher Clyde Fitzek; and 1 nephew John Edward Hartz IV (Diana) of Arlington, TX; and one great nephew Brian K. Hartz (Laura) of Edwards Air Force Base, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Evelyn Meki.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Latin/English from Indiana State Teachers College in 1961 and her master’s degree in Public Administration from Indiana State University in 1978. 

From 1961 - 1962 she taught English/Latin in Staunton, Indiana and then left to rear her three children full time for the next thirteen years before going back to college to get her master’s degree. During her master’s program, Darlene was an intern at the Vigo County Public Library where she planned the move to the new facility and worked on the Oral History Program with Ed Howard. 

At Saint Mary’s of the Woods College, she served various positions; Chair Person of the Social Sciences Department, Director of Gerontology Program, Assistant Director of Continuing Education, and Instructor, Adjunct Faculty.  At the Vigo County Park Department, Darlene was in charge of the department budget, buying equipment, seeking grants, and wrote a couple of five year masterplans. 

Darlene served on the boards of the Leadership of Terre Haute, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Mother Theodore Corp, and Maryvale Inc.  Darlene was the recipient of the following awards; Jessie Dickinson – Indiana Federation of Older Hoosiers for Outstanding Professional in the Service of Older Hoosiers (1988), Tony and Mary Hulman Health Achievement Award (1988), and the Wabash Valley Press Club Award for Meritorious Service to Her Profession and Community (1988).

Darlene enjoyed traveling, especially her six trips to Hawaii, visiting with grandchildren and family, and reading.

A visitation will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Debaun Funeral home in Terre Haute from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m followed by a service with Father Ron Ashmore officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.

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