Norma "Jean" Blanchard, age 86 of Chase, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012. She was born April 17, 1926 in Attica, Indiana the daughter of Quincy and Clara (Frodge) Clark. Jean graduated from Attica High School in 1942; she later attended Danville School of Nursing in Danville, Illinois. She married Charles Blanchard in 1949 and the young couple moved to Chase where Jean has always lived. Jean was a homemaker and mother to nine children. When her last child began school, Jean found herself with plenty of free time and took a job at Wolverine World Wide in Big Rapids. She retired after more than 20 years of employment. Jean was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Reed City. She was an avid bowler and a long time member of the Chase P.T.A. Jean had a green thumb and especially enjoyed her flowers. She loved music and poetry and was a talented writer of both. Jean credited her longevity to her "Hoosier Blood" and often spoke of Indiana as "God's Country" . She is survived by her loving family including her nine children, Melody (Ralph) Pettey of Clio, Jeannette (Alvin) Todd of Paris, Harrison "Mike" Blanchard of Chase, Cindy (Curt) Miller of Baldwin, Patti (Darrell Marvel) Blanchard of Big Rapids, Dawn (Wayne) Pratt of Reed City, Sally (Roger VanAelst) Marr of Bitely, John (Sonya) Blanchard of Chase, Joni (Dan Gramer) Blanchard of Reed City; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Harold (Jo Ellen) Blanchard of Chase and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Charles in 1995, a brother and three sisters. Funeral services will take place 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 3rd at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Jean's nephew, Reverend Emmett Kadwell officiating. Burial will be at Chase Village Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Lake County Meals on Wheels or Hospice of Michigan.