Final Salute

LIMA — Norm Grigsby, who died on July 7, 2026, at age 97, often said that he had a wonderful life. His was not a life marked by fame or fortune, but faithful dedication to his family, country, community and God.

Norm was born on January 17, 1929, in Lima, Ohio the youngest (and only son) of Opal and Edwin Grigsby. Herbert Hoover was president, radio and movies were creating pop culture, industry was advancing and a national optimism prevailed…until the Wall Street crash and the onset of the Great Depression. Like many families of that era, the Grigsby family became fractured leading to his parents’ separation and causing Norm to spend his early years in the Methodist Children’s Home in Worthington, Ohio. He returned to Lima and his mother when he was six. Despite these circumstances, Norm had fond childhood memories of building snow forts, pulling Halloween pranks, exploring, and playing ball with the neighborhood boys. At Longfellow Elementary and later, South High School, Norm became a good student and played basketball and track, holding the school record for the broad jump for a time. Although shy, he made good friendships that lasted a lifetime. Like most teenagers of that time, Norm held many part time jobs which, he said later, helped him decide what he did not want to do with his life.

World War II was raging during Norm’s high school years, and he followed the progress of the war by listening to the radio and tracing the Allied progress on maps he kept in his bedroom. By the time Norm graduated in 1946 at age 17, the war was over, and the world had become a much different place. Norm entered Bowling Green State University with intentions of becoming a math teacher and a coach, eventually transferring to Ohio Northern University. It was a summer job with the Highway Department that caused him to discover an interest in civil engineering. A pivotal life event occurred at ONU when a United States Navy representative recruited engineering students for Officer Candidate School. Norm applied, was accepted, and left for Newport, Rhode Island shortly after graduation. He was commissioned an ensign in 1952. Originally assigned to the USS Bennington, his assignment was changed when he failed his eye test, causing him to be transferred to a surface position. Norm always viewed this turn of events as providential as the Bennington later exploded killing many of the young officers on-board.

Norm’s naval career widened his horizons as he was stationed first in Corpus Christi and later in Coronado, California. He was given much responsibility as a very young man developing leadership and organizational skills that he carried with him after leaving active service. He remained in the Naval Reserve for the next twenty years eventually serving as a brigade officer in Pittsburgh and commanding a Seabee Unit in Toledo which helped rebuild Louisiana after a hurricane and welcome Neil Armstrong back to Ohio after his trip to the moon in 1969.

Upon his return to Ohio, Norm began a career with the Ohio Department of Transportation where he became the head of construction for Ohio Division One. It was the golden era of the development of the interstate highway system, and Norm was in the center of helping to build the roads, bridges and infrastructure that changed America forever. He was highly respected by his co-workers and contractors, so much so that at his retirement party, one contractor said, “Norm is the only guy I would come to celebrate.”

The most important event in Norm’s life occurred in 1958 when he married a young widow, Mary Huffman Lemunyun. He became an instant Dad to Cathi who was later joined by twins, Teresa and Lisa. Norm loved the stable family that he and Mary created. They built their first house on Diller Road, and Norm enjoyed home improvement projects, including building a beautiful backyard gazebo and garden pond. He and Mary joined St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Elida where he held multiple lay leadership positions and sang in the choir for over fifty years. Mary was his perfect partner and together they took great pride in the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren. Upon retirement, Norm continued to do consulting work and served the community in many ways including the zoning commission, band booster president, cemetery board, solid waste district, “Keep Lima Beautiful” campaign, volunteer track and field official and more. In 2001, he and Mary decided to build a new home on Fawn Court where Norm lived until his passing, even after Mary transferred to a nursing facility. Norm loved all kinds of music, but especially Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. He was an avid sports fan and participant (particularly golf) and faithfully followed the Reds and Buckeyes. He was part of the last remnant of the “Greatest Generation,” one marked by traditional values of hard work, faithful service, and devotion to family, God and country.

Norm was predeceased by his parents and three sisters, Ruth, Helen, and Peg.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary, his daughters, Cathi (Rick) Lloyd, Teresa Grigsby, and Lisa (Phillip) Wurster, grandchildren Nicole (Rob) Beat, Chris (Kristin) Lloyd, Adam (Leah) Wurster, Mary (Ron) Brunette, Peter Wurster, Jonathan Grigsby, Andy Wurster and Sam Wurster as well as four great grandchildren. Norm wished to extend special thanks to Vicki Bowers and Tim and Corrine Piper who helped him so much in his final years.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 10, 2026, at St Paul’s United Methodist Church: 105 E Main St, Elida, OH 45807. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home – Shawnee Chapel, and again, from 9:00-10:00 AM on Friday before the service at church.

Memorial Contributions in Norm’s honor may be made to St Paul’s United Methodist Church: 105 E. Main St, Elida, OH 45807 or Spirit of Faith Adoptions Inc: 3315 Centennial Rd Suite A1, Sylvania, OH 43560.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Lima News from Jul. 7 to Jul. 8, 2026.