Norma Maxine Ghere Diehl

Norma Maxine Ghere Diehl, 89, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo. Norma was the oldest child of three born to Ralph Laurin Ghere and Allie Lena Wix Ghere. She was born April 28, 1921, in the Double Branch area east of Butler.

Norma was recognized as the valedictorian of her 1939 graduating high school class in Butler, Mo. On Jan. 21, 1942, she married Lloyd Alfred Diehl in Baltimore, Md., while working in the defense industry during the war. After the war, they returned to the Butler area and farmed in Pleasant Gap. A son named Lloyd Brent was born at this time. In 1958, they relocated to Utica, N.Y., where they formed a successful building and real estate development business. In 1980, they returned to Nevada, where they returned to farming and ranching.

Norma was always a devoted church member of the Church of Christ, which was a large part of her life. She was an avid student of the Bible and taught Bible classes for many years. She enjoyed writing and wrote essays and poetry. Genealogy was a passion and she devoted time to the Wix family reunions and research. She was noted for her knowledge of the family. Norma loved to travel and in recent years traveled in the United States and Europe. After caring for her ill husband for several years, she was widowed on March 29, 2008, following a marriage of 66 years. She will be missed by those whose lives she touched.

Norma is survived by a son, Lloyd Brent Diehl and his fiancé, Zine, Tampa, Fla.; a grandson, Lloyd Brent II, Denver, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Eula and Joan Ghere, both of Butler, Mo.; one niece; one nephew; and many friends and family. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Ghere and Levi Ghere.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 27, at Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, with the Rev. Darryl Tucker officiating. Interment will follow in Myers Cemetery, Butler.

Those who wish may contribute to the House of Compassion c/o Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.