Norman Just Fombelle's Obituary
Decatur – Norman Just Fombelle passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at age 82.
Norman was born August 2nd, 1936, to Hubert and Lucille (Hayes) Fombelle in Decatur, Illinois and raised on the family Centennial farm. He graduated from Argenta High School in 1954. On August 6, 1955, he married, Virginia “Ginger” Joy Montgomery. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in AgEcon in 1958, and from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1960.
Norman is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ginger, his daughter, Lisa Lazarz, her husband, Alex and their children, Ashley and Alexandra, his son Michael and his children, Michael Fombelle Jr., Paige Ozegovic, her husband Stojan and Caroline, and his son Gregory, wife, Maya and their children, Victoria and Corinne, and his brother David.
His legal career began while serving in the U.S. Army JAG Corps from 1960-61. He returned to Decatur in 1961 where he became 1st Asst. State’s Attorney under then State’s Attorney, Basil Greanias. He then entered the private practice of law, where he practiced for over 50 years in his Decatur-based law firm. He was recognized as a pre-eminent member of the bar by his fellow attorneys. His reputation as an aggressive and savvy trial attorney was the hallmark of his practice of law.
Norman was a member of Forsyth United Methodist Church. He served two terms as President of the Decatur Club, was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Decatur Bar Association and he served on the Macon County Fair Board.
A visitation will be held on Saturday August 11, 2018, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. There will be a private memorial service for family only. Please consider memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Norman’s family extends a special thank you to Dr. Timothy Miller and his staff at Priority Health Family Medicine for extraordinary medical care of Norm over the years!
The family of Norman Just Fombelle is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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