Norman J. Pera, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and son, passed away Jan. 1 surrounded by family at Meijer Heart Center, Grand Rapids, Mich. He was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Gary, Ind., where he graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1939. Norman served honorably from 1942 to 1946 in the U.S. Navy, including active duty in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon completing military service he attended Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind., graduating in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Norman retired from Inland Steel, East Chicago, Ind., in 1982 as the assistant superintendent for the mechanical department. He has lived in the Saugatuck area since 1989, actively volunteering for many local organizations. Norman was a dedicated man of faith and family, who will be dearly missed by many. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of commitment to his family, friends, and community. Norman is survived by Patricia his wife of 57 years, his five sons, David (Ruth), of Valparaiso, Ind., John, of Crown Point, Ind., Timothy (Kathleen), of St. Paul, Minn., Mark (Leslie), of Western Springs, Ill. and Thomas (Catherine), of Phoenix, Az., his nephew and niece Anthony and Mary Ester Merza, of Chicago, Ill., and 11 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a sister. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck, Michigan. The funeral will be Wednesday, January 3, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. at the All Saints Episcopal Church with the Fr. G. Corwin Stoppel officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, Evergreen Commons, 480 State Street, Holland, Michigan 49423 or the American Heart Association.