April 27 , 2023 The Beacon • 9
On a cold , crisp Saturday morning October 2 , 1920 , at 11:30 a . m ., Norma Ruth Shoman Metz was born at home , 101 Walnut Street , Coshocton , Ohio . Her Mother , Carrie ( McNabb ) Shoman said , “ Just in time for lunch .” It was the last day of the Coshocton County Fair , and Dr . James G . Smailes was not happy about Norma ’ s arrival . It caused him to miss the horse races . He was a wonderful doctor and liked to kid . Norma ’ s Father , John Franklin ( Frank ) Shoman , cried when Norma was born , he was so happy to have another little girl . Frank from that moment on called his precious little girl “ Sunshine .” He taught Norma her ABC ’ s and numbers , even after working 12-hour days .
Frank Shoman was born September 12 , 1883 , and died April 21,1969 at 1 a . m . Norma died almost exactly at the same time on the same day , April 21 , 2023 . Frank was the son of Alfred and Katherine ( Browand ) Shoman . Her Mother Carrie Bell ( September 27 , 1889 - January 8 , 1957 ) was the daughter of James and Nancy ( maiden name ?) McNabb also of Coshocton .
Her beloved brother , Alfred Shoman Sr . ( deceased ), was at the dump with his wagon the day Norma was born . A neighbor , Fern Burries , told him that he had a baby sister . He rushed home , but stopped to buy her a rattle at Woolworth ’ s . Norma has always kept her brother ’ s gift in a special place .
Norma had a brother ( James ), who passed away prior to her birth , and a sister ( Leone ), who was most probably a victim of the flu epidemic of 1918 . She had eaten a piece of green candy just before becoming ill and
Norma Ruth Shoman Metz
died twelve hours later . Never again was there a piece of green candy in the Shoman or Metz home ! James died soon after his birth at three months . Carrie and Frank forever missed Leone and James , talking of them often .
The Coshocton County Fair again was part of Norma ’ s life when she had her first date with John Edwin Metz , her future husband ( m . September 29 , 1940 ). John was the only date Norma ever had . The day started well with a footlong hotdog . Norma had never been on a fair ride , and her first was the Ferris Wheel . The day ended badly when on the ride she became sick and vomited on both her and John . She told John that she needed to go home . John said , “ Well , I don ’ t know what else you can do !”
Norma worked at the Greyhound Bus Station on Third Street during the war . She took the job that John had before enlisting in the Navy . They worked until 3 a . m . learning how to write a bus ticket the day John had to leave for basic training . Norma started and when the owner , Mr . Wilson , gave her a paycheck that was 30 % less than John made , her response was quick , “ Oh , no ! I get the same pay as John .” Norma was a modern woman in
Obituaries
many ways and Mr . Wilson agreed and complied .
Norma and John saved every penny during the War , and that money financed the buying of People ’ s Ice in Coshocton . People ’ s went on to sell Stroh ’ s and Miller beer ( Norma never tasted it !) and had a furniture store with her brother Alfred Sr . Later , John and Norma owned and managed a popular restaurant , Andy ’ s . Norma was the well-liked “ landlord ” of many single-family homes in Coshocton . The people who rented them always speak of her kindness when they were a little short .
John and Norma had two children James Edwin ( Dana Herreid ) and Susan ( Richard Guthrie ), both of Coshocton . Norma has two grandchildren from her son , Chloe Metz ( Steve Powers ) and Karl ( Mary ) and four great grandchildren , Wyatt and Dashiell ( Chloe and Steve of New York City ) and Max and Tala ( Karl and Mary of Redwood City , California ).
Norma ’ s brother ’ s ( Alfred Sr ) son , Alfred Shoman Jr , was raised alongside Jim . A l f r e d Jr ( Cheryl ) passed away in 2021 . Alfred had three children ( Elizabeth , Mathew , and Stephanie ).
Norma spent her last years at Windsorwood Assisted Living , which she loved and became a bingo expert winning many prizes . They always had a supply of vanilla ice cream , Norma ’ s favorite . The staff took exceptional care of her every need . She was attended by Carolynn Lewis , whom she loved . Norma became an advisor to many , relying on her many years of experience . Her room was a busy place most days .
Norma will be missed by many . She was almost
103 , loved every day , and professed her love for Jesus to all with a smile . Her favorite saying was , “ Believe .” She and John decided before his death that “ if there was a place ” he would be waiting . Rest assured , they are walking today , picking forget-me-nots and violets with their little dog Timmy . John is on the lookout for 4-leaf clovers for the rest of us . Norma will leave this world just as she came into it , as a ray of Sunshine .
Norma and John were lifelong members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Coshocton , and served it in many roles . Norma will be in the Trinity at Seventh and Main , Coshocton one more time for her funeral service to be celebrated at noon on Saturday , April 29 , 2023 . Interment will follow at South Lawn Cemetery . Visitation is at Given-Dawson-Paisley Funeral Home at 186 Park Ave , Coshocton on Friday from 5 to 8 p . m . A second visitation will be prior to celebration on Saturday from 11a . m . to noon at Trinity .
Donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church , 705 Main Street , Coshocton , Ohio 43812 . Phone : 740-622-0860 .
Leah Margery “ Marge ” Olinger
Leah Margery “ Marge ” Olinger , 88 , of Fresno , entered Heaven on Saturday , April 22 , 2023 . She was born on October 20 , 1934 , in West Lafayette to the late Robert and Esther ( Daugherty ) Taylor . On May 1 , 1954 , Marge married her husband Larry Olinger and they spent 65 wonderful years together before his passing in 2019 .
Marge was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in West Lafayette . She was the church custodian with her husband , Larry , for over 46 years . They both loved fishing and gardening . They enjoyed following all their grandchildren in their school activities and sporting events . They were avid sports fans cheering on their Ohio State Buckeyes , Cleveland Indians , Browns , and Cavaliers . Marge loved all types of flowers . Her hobbies included cooking and baking , playing Solitaire , doing word searches , and watching game shows on TV .
Marge is survived by her four loving children Larry ( Jane ) Olinger , Terry ( Pam ) Olinger , Linda ( Jeff ) Moyer , and Steve ( DeAnn ) Olinger ; her 12 grandchildren : Sara ( Kurt ) Reveal , Chad ( Lindsey ) Olinger , Joseph ( Brooke ) Olinger , Brian ( Jamie ) Olinger , Jason ( Jenny ) Olinger , Christopher ( Ashleigh ) Olinger , Jeremy ( Tina ) Moyer , Ashlee ( Matt ) Rettos , Brittney ( Billy ) Hamilton , Bradley ( Christy ) Olinger , Erica ( Tristan ) Locke , and Jesse ( Breann ) Olinger . She is also survived by 24 greatgrandchildren and her
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four sisters-in-law : Mary Miller , Audrey Taylor , Stephanie Olinger , and Reva Olinger . She is also leaving behind many special nieces and nephews , and her dog , Lizzie .
Marge was preceded in death by her parents , and loving husband Larry Olinger , She is also preceded in death by her brothers Lyle Taylor , Wayne Taylor , and Keith Taylor , and an infant brother .
Calling hours were held on Wednesday , April 26 from 10:00am-12:00pm at the First Baptist Church of West Lafayette , 688 E . Main Street , West Lafayette , Ohio 43845 . Funeral services followed at the Church with Marge ’ s grandson , Pastor Chad Olinger , and Pastor Ben Hartley officiating . Burial followed at the Coshocton County Memory Gardens .
In lieu of flowers , donations may be made in Marge ’ s name to the First Baptist Church of West Lafayette , 688 E . Main Street , West Lafayette , Ohio 43845 . An online memorial can be viewed at www . given-dawsonpaisleyfh . com .