Delbert E. Norman, 87, of Grayville, Illinois, formerly of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 9:25 p.m. at his residence in Grayville.
Delbert was the son of Alvie Sanford Norman and Josie M. (Golding) Norman, born January 10, 1937, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Delbert was a 1956 graduate of Mt. Carmel High School.
He was drafted and went into the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he lived in Mt. Carmel and worked at Pacific Press and Shear for 38 years before his retirement in 2003. While at Pacific, he was a journeyman machinist and later took a company job as Quality Control Supervisor. Delbert left that job to go back to the union as a machinist until his retirement.
Delbert loved sports and played in all of them while in school. He, along with Donnie Dean, worked in and managed the Mt. Carmel Little League for years, turning out some of the best baseball players in Mt. Carmel. He was very proud of them.
Delbert’s hobbies were golf, fishing, gardening, and watching the L.A. Dodgers, the Boston Celtics, and the Green Bay Packers. He made a trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to watch them play with his stepson, Dr. Steve Reynolds and grandchildren Alex and Alicia Garner.
He belonged to several organizations. Delbert was a member of Ancient Free & Accepted Mason Lodge #39. He was a 32-degree Master Mason, Worthy Patron of then Hermosa Chapter O.E.S. #517, Albion, Illinois, White Shrine of Jerusalem Bethlehem Shrine #2, Evansville, Indiana, Ainad Shriners, East St. Louis, Illinois, Wabash Valley Shrine Club and at one time a member of the Ainad Motor Patrol Unit of Ainad Temple. Delbert was a member of American Legion, Grayville, Illinois.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Emma Lou (Reynolds) Norman, of Grayville, Illinois; his children, John Curtis Norman of Tennessee, Gene (Norman) Minniear and wife of Michigan, Shari Gail Martin and her husband Ed of Tennessee and Kimberly Sue (Norman) Minniear of Mt. Carmel.
Also surviving are three step-children; Dr. Steve Reynolds and wife Trisha of Indiana, Hilda and husband Mickey Medley of South Carolina and Bonnie and husband, Dave McDonald of North Carolina; grandsons, Jonathon “Jay” Martin Kail, Andrew Norman (Taylor) Mathew Minniear; granddaughters, Kristen Martin, Chelsea Norman (Aaron) and Meaghan Riddle (Travis); great grandchildren, Noah Riley Martin, Kayden Bline Martin Emma Caselier Martin, Ryker James Martin, Ellison Riddle and Weston Riddle; step grandchildren, Alicia and Jordon Roberts of South Carolina, Beth and Winston Griffin of North Carolina, Chris and Brad Hodgemier of Florida and Kasi and Justin Valjet of Massachusetts; step great grandchildren, Layla and Axel Roberts of South Carolina, Gage and Gatlin Griffin of North Carolina, Nate Apel and wife Brianna of Florida, Aidan Apel serving in the U.S. Navy, and Abby Carey of Florida; a great great step granddaughter, Adalien Belle Apel of Florida; a sister, Hazel Jordan of Tennessee, and a brother, Rev. Lee and Dixie Norman of Oklahoma.
Preceding him in death were his parents; siblings, R. Ellis Norman, Sandford Norman, Eddie Norman and Verda M. Miller, and a very special grandson, Alex Garner.
Visitation for Delbert will be held Friday, October 18, 2024, at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Masonic Service take place at 7:00 p.m.
Delbert’s funeral service will be at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Delbert’s family.
