Norris Leroy Boomershine

Norris Leroy “Boomer” Boomershine, 77, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at home August 30, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Donald and Genevieve (Norris) Boomershine on December 20, 1931 in Goshen, IN.

Norris was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Glade Boomershine.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly (Burger) Watts-Boomershine whom he married on October 1, 1977, a sister, Marlene Boomershine of Atlanta, GA; four children, JoEllen (Thomas) Cook of Fort Myers, FL, Jerry A. Boomershine of Chicago, IL, Lisa (Paul) Papadopoulos of Elburn, IL, and Tracy (Jim) Ritchie of Elkhart, IN.

He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Taylor, Halie and Nick Ritchie of Elkhart, IN, Winston and Alexander Papadopoulos of Elburn, IL and Nicholas and Daniel Cook of Fort Myers, FL.

Norris proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from November 1951 to October 1953 and was stationed in the beautiful state of Alaska. Norris loved to reminisce about his exploits with his army buddies about their hunting and fishing adventures.

Norris owned and operated Boomershine Plating and Boomershine Screw, Inc. in Elkhart.

As a basketball standout at Millersburg High School, his love of basketball led him to work with high school basketball players and a lifetime commitment was born by being a referee for the IHSAA boys basketball from 1955 through 1977.

Norris was known for his great sense of humor and always being the life of the party. His love for dogs made him particularly fond of collies, having owned four over the last twenty years.

Friends may call from 4-8 pm Tuesday at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd. Elkhart, where services will be held at 11 am Wednesday. Burial will follow with military graveside honors.

As an advocate for abused women, Norris requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Elkhart County Women’s Shelter. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook.