Norman J. Vernier

Norman Jay Vernier, age 87, passed away on November 20, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.  Norman was born on Sept 11, 1936, in Louisville, Ohio.  He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Kathleen, his children, Athena (David) Edwards, Douglas (Christine) Vernier, Bruce (Jennifer) Vernier, and Brian (Lynn) Vernier; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; brothers Larry (Nancy) and Dennis (Cheryl) and sister, Nancy Thompson.

Norman is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Mabel (Schlonegar) Vernier, brother Richard, his twin sister Norma Elliott, and sister Lucille Bordner. 

Norman was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He was a hardworking, generous man of integrity.  He was drafted into the United States Army and served in Germany until 1962.  Norman’s favorite color was red which could be found on all the yard tools, his cars, and throughout his garage.  After retirement, he and Kathleen enjoyed many travels, of which his favorite was Alaska.

He loved being an auto mechanic and could always be found tinkering in his garage.  During his career, he owned a Sohio gas station in Massillon and then opened Vernier’s Auto Repair in Louisville.  Family and friends enjoyed working alongside Norm in the garage and learning from his years of being an auto mechanic.  Norm demonstrated a work ethic of giving 110% to everything he did and treating others well.  When you visited his garage he would say, “You see nothing, you hear nothing, and you say nothing.”   He always supported his four kids fully to reach their individual goals.  Growing up, they learned the hard lessons of life when he removed distributor caps or tires if they missed a curfew or needed a reminder of the rules of the house.   Norm enjoyed time with his grandkids teaching them how to “properly” wax a car, including how to buff cars with a buffer while standing on a step stool to reach the top of the hood.  They enjoyed riding with him in his truck to plow snow in the neighborhood.  Norm’s grandkids knew that every time they pulled their vehicle into the garage drive, Grandpa would know they needed help to find out what was wrong with their car, and he could fix it with them.  When poor health limited Norm’s ability to work on cars in his garage, he enjoyed conversations and sipping brandy with friends and family while sitting in his garage.

 Norm will be deeply missed more than words can say.  We will cherish the memories of time spent with him and value all the life lessons he instilled in each of us.  
 
Per Norman’s request, cremation has taken place, and burial service will be held at St. Louis Cemetery located at 3541 Ravenna Ave NE, Louisville, OH  44641 on Saturday, Dec 2nd @ 11 am. followed by a luncheon and visitation at Sacred Heart of Mary Hall at 8900 Columbus Rd NE, Louisville, OH  44641.

 In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Norman by supplying tool kits for the next generation of auto mechanics as they begin their careers in the vocational high school program.  Donations for this memorial can be given to the family or made at PayPal.Me/NormsMemorial.

The family would like to thank the Aultman Alliance Hospice team for the compassionate care they gave Norman and the family these last two months.