Norma Jordan

Norma Louise Jordan of Vincennes passed away and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 24, at the age of 77 at Good Samaritan Hospital.Norma (Sears) Jordan was born December 30, 1941 in the parsonage at Colfax, IN to Reverend Frederick Charles Sears and Inez Louise (Spencer) Sears. She attended Star City High School for 9th and 10th grade. She graduated from Rolling Prairie High School in 1958. She attended Indiana University for a teaching degree and graduated in 1962. She married her husband of 56 years, Michael Ross Jordan in August of 1963.Norma grew up in a small town, the daughter of a pastor. In order to keep her two hands busy, her mom taught her baton lessons. Norma became a twirler, and won two State championships in Indiana. Norma was the featured twirler for the Marching Hundred Band at Indiana University for four years. She was the only female member with over one hundred men in the band. She and Michael met at IU. He wasn't sure he liked her twirling with all those men around.Norma and Michael were married a year after they completed college; Norma as a teacher, and Michael as a geologist. They taught in Three Oaks, Michigan for a year. Then they decided to apply to teach overseas to American military children for the Department of Defense. They flew to Misawa, Japan, the first time on an airplane, where they taught high school for one year. They made good friends, both Japanese and American. Then they traveled to Izmir, Turkey, where they taught another year. They traveled the Middle East, wild boar hunted, and learned to scuba dive. Finally, they moved to Heidelberg, Germany, where they taught for three years and kept traveling. It was here in the second year that their daughter Corrie was born. Then the third year John R. was born. It was too hard to travel with two babies, so they came home.After the two returned to Vincennes and bought a home on McDowell Road, Norma settled in as a mother and homemaker. As Michael bought rental properties and fixed them up, Norma would show the properties to potential renters and clean them to get them ready. She helped Michael in all of his businesses by managing and keeping the books for first apartments, then 500 oil wells in production in KY, IL, and IN, and eventually commercial real estate properties. Norma also took Corrie to baton lessons. She watched her practice and the family traveled for National Baton Competitions all over the country. Corrie owed her success to Norma's dedication. Norma taught countless young girls the art of baton twirling here in Vincennes. She even performed a couple of times with Corrie at the IU Homecoming Alumni Band performance during a home football game. John R. joined the United States Marine Corps and went to Desert Storm. Later he became an ordained Minister. She was so proud of her kids. Norma was also very involved in her church. She was on the Deaconate Board at First Baptist Vincennes many times. She taught Sunday school at First Baptist for 35 years, was on the board for Christian Women's Club, and active in her Sunday school class. She had a heart for serving and loving others.Later in life Norma had two main passions. They were traveling and her children/grandchildren. As a younger family of four, she would book trips to Florida in the summer and skiing in the winter. Later she liked to book cruises and trips. The best was when the whole family went along. She and Mike traveled to China, Germany, Russia, Chile and Machu Picchu, cruised around South America and went to Rio de Janeiro and Mardi Gras. They also traveled to Greece and on the Danube from Vienna to Budapest, to Paris, and Cannes to mention a few. One of her favorite destinations was Cancun resorts with her adult children and their spouses. She had an adventure for life that was contagious. She also loved to spend time with her grandkids. She would attend birthday parties, grandparent's day, read to them, swim in their home pool, sing and play endless games with them.Norma is survived by her husband Michael Jordan, her brother John Denver Sears (wife Connie) of West Lafayette, Marvin and Valerie Sweeney (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), and her children Corrie and John R. Norma was very proud of her two children: Corrie Case (husband Perry) of Fishers, IN and John R. Jordan (wife Stephanie), of Carmel, IN. Norma was also delighted with her six grandchildren, ranging in age from 21 to 5. In order of birth, they are Cameron, Conner, Jessica, Jenna, Jillian, and Spencer. They were the light of her life.A Celebration Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church in Vincennes, IN on December 14th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. A time of visitation will follow directly after from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Pastor Dan Barringer will be officiating.The family asks that memorial contributions be made in Norma's name to Compassion International.