Norma Rose Holtom | News, Sports, Jobs
Norma Rose Holtom, age 87, passed away from this earthly life on May 2, 2022. She was born the only daughter of 7 children to Robert and Rosanna Shingleton October 1, 1934. Most of her upbringing was on a farm homestead outside of Rogers, Ohio. She graduated from Waterford High School in 1952 where she met and fell in love with John Emmett Dyke. On April 25, 1953, Norma and John married. They started a family and built their first home just outside of Rogers, Ohio. Norma and John were happily raising their two sons, Wayne and Dennis, and expecting a third child when John was tragically struck by a moving vehicle and lost his life. In her grief, Norma began attending the Lake Mount Church of Christ and decided that she would raise her family to know God and to follow his teachings. After delivering her daughter Joni Emm, who she named after her late husband, and after a period of grief, Norma entered the work force as a secretary for developers of Lake Tomahawk in nearby Negley, Ohio where later her family would enjoy many summers boating, skiing, and swimming with cherished family and friends. Soon after, she met Robert Holtom through mutual friends, and they were married August 28, 1966. Norma and “Bob” then brought another child in to the world together, William Brian. Norma and Bob dedicated their lives to the church and its mission, ultimately impacting many lives. Norma served as the church secretary for many years. Together they gave generously of their time and money in service to the church; however, in time, they separated forcing Norma to enter the work force again. She continued to serve others in the life insurance industry, worked as a private home caregiver, and then ultimately became the Director of New Life Maternity Home near Warren Ohio, a home for young pregnant women experiencing homelessness seeking to create a better life for themselves and their unborn children. She retired in 2004 and moved to Canal Winchester Ohio to be closer to her daughter and eventually settled in Lancaster, Ohio. If asked, Norma would say her main “job” on this earth was to evangelize and spread the news of Jesus Christ.
In Lancaster, Norma began attending Fifth Ave Church of Christ and was involved as a mentor, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, and also made many friends. She continued to attend Bible study and church services there until her health prevented her from safely attending any longer. Since the Spring of 2020, she has been a resident of a long term care facility in Canal Winchester.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Rosa Shingleton; her brothers Larry Shingleton, Leroy Shingleton, and Dale Shingleton; her husbands John Dyke and “Bob” Holtom; her son Wayne Holtom, his first wife and beloved daughter-in-law Sue Holtom; her son Dennis Holtom; a dear granddaughter-in-law, Tonia Holtom; and her step-son Timothy Holtom.
Surviving are her brothers Ed (Judy) Shingleton of Mesa, Arizona; Jim (Margaret) Shingleton and Frank (Tammy) Shingleton of Rogers, Ohio; her daughter Joni Devereaux of Canal Winchester, Ohio; son Brian (Misty) Holtom of Galloway, Ohio ; step-son Robert Holtom Jr. of Florida; and grandchildren Micheal (Jasmyn) Holtom, Jeff (Kelly) Holtom, Micayla Holtom, Jeffrey Devereaux, Jena Devereaux, Jalyn Devereaux, and Kalin Holtom. Also are two surviving great-grandchildren that she had yet to meet due to her failing health; Bennett Dane Holtom, 1 year old (son of Jeff and Kelly Holtom) and Maeve Willow Holtom (daughter of Micheal and Jasmyn Holtom), 6 months.
Small intimate family gatherings are planned to memorialize Norma in the near future. A graveside moment will be taken with Joni and Brian as she is placed to rest with her first husband John at East Carmel Acre Cemetery in Rogers, Ohio. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Norma would have liked for contributions in her honor to be made to the Lake Mount Church of Christ in Rogers, Ohio where she learned to love the Lord. We were blessed to have had her in this life but, as in one of her most favorite hymns, she would ask us not to mourn but rather say “it is well with my soul.”
5/6/22
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