Norma Frances Hards, age 84, of Tecumseh, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday,
September 12, 2025 at her home. She was born on September 27, 1940, in Chelsea,
MI a daughter of the late William J. Hafner and Mary B. (Honeck) Crockett. On February
20, 1998, in Brighton, MI she married Charles Ralph Hards and they shared 24 years
together until his passing in 2022. After marrying Charlie, she became a sports fan and
always enjoyed watching the Lions, Tigers and Michigan State games. Many hours on
the road were spent driving to see graduations from High School, Military Basic
Trainings, College, and Academies. Norma tried to attend every special event involving
her children and grandchildren – whether it was a graduation on the other side of the
country or a football game an hour away. She loved telling stories about the
misadventures of her husband Charlie and always got a giggle hearing about those of
others. Her humor was subtle and often left one wondering what just happened. She
was a competitive card player and loved a good game of Euchre or Rummy. She also
loved Bingo and Words with Friends. Later in life her greatest joy was spending time
with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Norma leaves behind a legacy that would make any woman proud. Among her children
and many grandchildren, she can count tradesmen, law enforcement officers, veterans
of the United States Marine Corps and United States Army, nurses, respiratory
therapists, and successful business owners. Many of her descendants have completed
advanced degrees and continue to achieve accolades. For such an unassuming small
woman from Chelsea, Michigan her influence on the world is enormous.
Norma is survived by her six children, Rudolph (Marie) Weirich of Brownstown, MI,
Diana LeVasseur of Toledo, OH, Randolph (Nadine) Weirich of Honor, MI, Rick (Leslie)
Weirich of Clinton, MI, Ryan (Mandy) Weirich (French) of Elkins, WV and Dawn (Jacob)
Neff of Tecumseh, MI; siblings, Leonard Hafner of Chelsea, MI, Dennis (Stephanie)
Hafner of Chelsea, MI and Gloria Near of Saline, MI; 16 grandchildren, Rudolph Jr. and
Andrew Weirich, Lauren Zahara, Garrett Weirich, Zachary LeVasseur, Kylee Gordon,
Kelli and Ernest LeVasseur, Danielle Merillat, Rick Jr., Robert, Riley, Koragon and
Ravyn Weirich, Eric and Emma Neff and 17 great-grandchildren. Along with her
husband, Charlie and her parents, Norma is preceded in death by 4 sisters, Clara
(Jenny) Brown, Josephine and Mary Ann Hafner, Barbara Lou Anderson and 3 brothers,
Conrad (Bud), Lavern and Leo Hafner.
Visitation for Norma will take place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 1pm-3pm
and 5pm-8pm at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Memorial
contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.