Norma Jean (Sanders) Vansickle

Norma Jean (Sanders) Vansickle, age 102, passed away on the evening of Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Compass Park Skilled Nursing Facility in Franklin, Indiana.  A life-long resident of Trafalgar, Indiana, she continued to live independently in her home on the family farm until 4 weeks prior to her passing.  Norma Jean was an extraordinary woman, strong in faith and full of wisdom.  With unwavering love for her family, church, and community, she was a blessing to all who knew her.

On June 12, 1923 in Hensley Township, Johnson Country Indiana, Norma Jean was born to Ira T. and Lillian A. (Bradley) Sanders. She graduated from Trafalgar High School in 1941.  Norma Jean married Don A. Vansickle on May 1, 1944 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he was stationed in the Army.  They celebrated 50 years of memories and marriage prior to his passing on May 9, 1994.

Norma Jean attended comptometer school in Indianapolis after her high school graduation.  She worked in the department of payroll for Public Service of Indiana and later worked as an aid at the Masonic Home in Franklin, Indiana.  Prior to retirement at the age of 60, she spent 16 years working at Nineveh Hensley Jackson School in Trafalgar Indiana as a matron in the maintenance department.

As a woman of faith, she was a dedicated church member.  Norma Jean was a founding member of the Sycamore Bible Church of Trafalgar, where she attended church services and Bible study weekly.  She loved being active in her community, participating in the Red Hats Society, Nineveh and Trafalgar Senior Centers, and also served for many years as a volunteer Election Day poll worker for Hensley Township.  

Norma Jean enjoyed spending time with family, camping, and traveling-especially cruises with her sister, Anabel.  One of her most beloved trips was a vacation to Hawaii with her cousin and sister.  Family history and genealogy were a passion for Norma Jean, which led to many discussions and discoveries shared among her family over the years.  Her memory was exceptional!  She continuously kept her mind sharp as an avid reader and enjoyed her daily crossword and word search puzzles.

She is survived by her sons, Ronald (Gloria) Vansickle and David Vansickle of Trafalgar; her brother, Richard Sanders of Bargersville; grandson, Brent (Shannon) Vansickle of Trafalgar; and great-grandsons, Ethan and Avery Vansickle of Trafalgar.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents, brother, Theodore Sanders, sister Anabel (Sanders) Teeters, grandson, Jason Vansickle, nephew Aaron Sanders, and Cathy Koschka. 

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 30th from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Meredith Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. The Rev. Ervin Stutzman will conduct a funeral service at 12 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood.

Memorial contributions made in Norma Jean’s name may be sent to the Sycamore Bible Church at 699 East Park Street, Trafalgar, Indiana or to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made to Norma Jean’s family at meredithfuneral.com

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