Norma Jean Forkert, 88, of Columbus, Indiana passed away on January 18, 2025. She was born on January 1, 1937 in Shelbyville, Indiana the daughter of Francis and Henrietta (Small) Bennett. Norma was a 1954 graduate of Shelbyville High School. She married Rollan E. Forkert on June 6, 1954 and together they had four children: David, Debra, Gary and Diana. Norma worked as a bookkeeper for Empire Gas of Greensburg and Osgood and Greensburg Printing Company until she retired. She was a member of the Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church, Columbus Indiana and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rockport.
She is survived by her children: David (Betty) Forkert, Debra (Stephen) Kaczmar, Gary (Theresa) Forkert and Diana (Alan) Jones; Grandchildren: April (Jeremy) Hughes, Amber (Eric) Peetz, Dustin (Sara) Jones, Kyle (Alex) Jones, Nathan (Morgan) Jones, Philip Forkert (Jessica Whitehead), Kathryn (Mike) Packard, Kevin Kaczmar, Jake Huebel (Mallorie), Jenna (Alex) Bednarek, Rebecca (Matt) Hutson, Anna Heatherly, Nathan (Bridget) Krieg, Carla (deceased) Andy Shelton, Dwight (Laurie) Krieg, 34 Great Grandchildren and 16 Great-Great Grandchildren. Siblings: Mary Ann (Gary) McClure, Teresa (Richard) Harris, June (Joe) Harris, and Kathleen (Tony) Schuck. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents (Francis & Henrietta Bennett) and brother, Richard Bennett.
Services are set for Monday, January 27, 2025. A catholic prayer service will be held at 10:45 a.m. followed by visitation for family and friends at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the South Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com