Norman R. Blaney, age 81, of Sarahsville, Ohio, died Monday, March 20, 2023, at his home. He was born July 4, 1941, in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, son of the late Ralph A. and Ruth Blaney. Norman was a 1959 graduate of Point Marion High School and a graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education and agriculture and a Master’s Degree in Education. He retired as a superintendent of the Muskingum Area Joint Vocational School in Zanesville and served as principal at the Guernsey-Noble Joint Vocational School in Buffalo. He also taught vocational agriculture at Shenandoah High School and was an advisor for Future Farmers of America. In 1967, Norman founded and was manager for Clear Water Corporation in Sarahsville,. He also owned and operated a family sheep farm. He was a member of the First Church of Christ in Caldwell, where he served as an elder, church treasurer, chairman of the missions team, and taught the Worthwhile Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Noble County Service Club and the Noble County Farm Bureau.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn L. Sterling Blaney, whom he married June 29, 1962, and who died February 19, 2021; and one great-grandson, Delaine Abbott, IV.
Surviving are his children, Randy N. (Vickie) Blaney of Lewisville and Carol S. Abbott (Dwayne Dunn) of Circleville, Ohio; two grandchildren, Amanda Blaney and Delaine (Heather) Abbott, III; three great-grandchildren, Allanah, Ava, and Armani; two sisters, Betty (Harry) Clemmer of Smithfield, Pennsylvania, and Ruth Robinson of Charleston, West Virginia; a sister-in-law, Gloria Sampson of Fairmont, West Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be observed Monday, March 27, 2023, at 11AM at Village View Cemetery in Sarahsville with Pastor Brent DeWees officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of Christ, 601 North Street, Caldwell, Ohio, 43724, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, is caring for the family.
