Norma Belle Hawk, 95, Columbia City, died at 4:50 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City.

She was born Feb. 19, 1921, in Panama, Ill., a daughter of the late Donald Forrest and Grace Allena (West) Ernst. In 1924, the family moved to Columbia City where she did her schooling, graduating from Columbia City High School in 1941. On Dec. 24, 1941, she was united in marriage to Alfred Lee Hawk. The couple made their home in Columbia City. Mr. Hawk died Dec. 25, 1976.

She worked for various restaurants in Columbia City for 18 years and was co-owner with her husband of Hawk’s Grocery in Columbia City for five years. She retired from the Whitley County Memorial Hospital in 1983 where she had worked in the linen department for five years.

She is survived by a son: Glenn L. (Peggy) Hawk, Ossian; granddaughters: Dee Ann Hawk; Laura Lee Hawk; sister: Joan D. Mabe, Columbus. She was preceded in death by twin infant sons; three brothers: Floyd; Howard; and Clyde Ernst; and sister: Wilma Mae Stidham.

There will be a private family burial at the Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City.