Longtime newspaper reporter and editor Norman L. “Norm” Hagg of Warsaw, Indiana passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at approximately 6:35 p.m. at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw, following a 16-year battle with cancer and leukemia. A lifelong resident of Kosciusko County, he was born October 15, 1937 to Arnold D. and Gladys E. (Ring) Hagg. He graduated from Leesburg High School in 1955 and went on to complete training for a career in radio at Midwestern Broadcasting School in Chicago.
He enjoyed playing basketball in high school where he was named the Leesburg Lions Club Most Valuable Player on the Blue Blazers team as a junior in 1954 and was invited by the coach to attend the legendary Indiana high school basketball finals at Butler Fieldhouse between Milan and Muncie Central that became the basis for the movie, “Hoosiers”. Hagg and the former Patricia A. Tusing, were united in marriage on Augiust 3, 1958. The couple were active lifetime members of the Dutchtown Brethren Church, where they served on the Deacon Board for more than 30 years.
The church was the foundation of their Christian faith which was so important in their marriage and in the lives of their children and families. In addition to his wife Patricia, Warsaw, he is survived by three children: Beth (Neil) Walker, Westland, MI, Mike (Rhonda) Hagg, Silver Lake, and Brad (Aimee) Hagg, Warsaw; seven grandchildren: Karissa (Terry) Blackford, Clarksville, IN, Karlye (Aaron) ; Johnson, West Bloomfield, MI. , Thomas Meredith, Silver Lake, Valerie Meredith, South Whitley, and Jon Hagg, Silver Lake, Miriam Hagg and McKale Hagg, both of Warsaw; six great-grandchildren, Mylee, Carson, Parker, Hunter, Tucker, and Sophia; sister, Rosalie (David) Nye, Warsaw.
Family held a special spot in Norm’s life. The compassion and care Pat provided to many during a career in nursing and the many positive accomplishments and achievements by the children over the years brought much joy to a very proud husband and parent. Hagg retired from the Times-Union in 2013 following an amazing career with the newspaper spanning almost five decades.
He had the privilege of working for the Williams family, founders of the newspaper 164 years ago, and whose descendants still own it today. He learned the skills of his profession from such outstanding mentors as Executive Editor William K. Mollenhour, Editor Curtis (Gabby) Garber, and Publisher Reub Williams, who recruited him from WRSW in 1962 to begin his newspaper career as a general assignment reporter. Hagg later served as the Times-Union’s sports editor, city editor, managing editor, editor in chief, and general manager prior to his retirement.
Along with his newspaper duties Hagg remained active in radio for a period of time and was the “Voice of the Tigers” doing play-by-play basketball broadcasts for many games in the 70s and early 80s. Hagg, as a member of the media, was inducted into the Kosciusko County High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.
His funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Jack Worth. A graveside service will follow at Leesburg Cemetery in Leesburg, Indiana. The family would appreciate memorial contributions in Norm’s honor to be given to the Dutchtown Brethren Church, 4057 E. 300 N., Warsaw, Indiana 46582; or to the Cancer Care Fund administered by the Kosciusko Community Foundation, 102 East Market Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580.
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