Norman F. Smith's Obituary
Decatur-Norman F. Smith, 94, of Decatur, Illinois went to be with his Lord Jesus at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 in Imboden Creek Living Center.
Services to celebrate Norman's life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services. Interment with military honors conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard and 'Flight Home' Ceremony will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Illinois Honor Flight or Imboden Creek Living Center.
Norman was born December 6, 1917 in Quincy, Illinois the son of Frank H. and Norma K. (Marsh) Smith. He grew up in Quincy and married Doris Louise Fraker March 10, 1941 in Hannibal, Missouri. He proudly served his country overseas from December of 1942 to October of 1945 in USAF Air Transport Command as a Communications Inspection Officer. Upon returning home he went to work for the Dept. of Agriculture in the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) as a Public Utility Specialist in the area of telephone operations from 1945 until his retirement in January of 1981. He graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1953. He received several commendations during his career as well as serving on the Wabash Valley College Telecommunications Advisory Council for Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. One of the highlights of Norman's life was his trip to see the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.
He leaves behind his children; son Richard and wife Tena of Virginia Beach, Virginia, daughter Pat Venable and husband Doug of Janesville, Wisconsin, son Phillip and wife Anne of Oro Valley, Arizona, and daughter Marsha Cassidy and husband Terry of Decatur, Illinois, eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one niece, and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and wife.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to both Imboden Creek Gardens and Imboden Creek Living Center staff for their loving care and support of Norman and his family. A heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Anthony McCormack and staff for their years of care and support also.
Norman will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family of Norman F. Smith is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. View the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Norman?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norman?
Share a story where Norman's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norman you’ll never forget.
How did Norman make you smile?