Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years Robert J. (Gus) Barga; step-father Howard Unger; sisters-in-law Virginia (Clifford) Harmon and Betty (Lester) Lemkuhl, and brothers-in-law John (Janice) Barga and James (Sadie) Barga. Norma is survived by her children Doug Barga, and Carmen (Jon) Snyder, grandchildren Betsy Snyder (Ryan) Chivington, Katie Barga and Robert Barga, and great grandchildren Eli, Kate, Kylie and Titus Chivington; and sisters-in-law Patricia Beck and Joan Smith, and brothers-in-law Edward (Joyce) Barga and Larry (Sonja) Barga; and special uncle Paul Reed.
A 1946 graduate of Versailles High School, Norma served as Vice-President of the family business, Versailles Oil and Gas Co, retiring in 2008. She was a founding member of Coterie Club, a member of the Versailles Garden Club, and long-time volunteer member of Versailles Emergency Medical Services. Gus and Norma were Poultry Days Honorary Parade Marshals in 2005.
Norma had an absolute zest for life and undeniable spirit, enjoying and excelling at cooking, tennis, golf, bowling, swimming, and bridge, or any activity that she pursued, for that matter. With an adventurous soul, Norma loved to travel; from her yearly holiday shopping excursion to Chicago; to the London stage; to the Palace of Versailles; she embraced new experiences: to dream, to explore, to discover.
A proud, gracious woman of great character, with an enormous heart and kind manner, Norma was deeply loved by her community and family.
But it was her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that truly defined her. She was the best.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM at St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, Ohio, with Rev. Fr. James Simons celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Valbert Catholic Cemetery Versailles, Ohio. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 PM as well as Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 AM at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio. Should they choose, friends may make memorial contributions to Versailles Emergency Medical Services, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
