Norman Charles Curtis' Obituary
Norman Charles Curtis of Decatur passed away August 6 after several years of battling with cancer. Norm was born March 4, 1925 to Charles Martin Curtis and Fannie Mae Roberts Curtis in Festus, Mo. He was the valedictorian of his class at Festus High School, but had already departed to join the U.S. Marines in defending our country in the South Pacific theater of World War II. Norman married Evelyn Colleen Bloomer on August 23, 1945, a marriage lasting nearly 64 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 younger brothers, Warren, Wayne, and Stanley. Norm is survived by his wife Colleen, 3 sons, and a daughter; Norm Jr. of Decatur, Jim of Boiling Springs, NC, Candace Butts of Assumption, and Brian of Springfield. He is Grandfather to 8 children and Great-grandfather to 6.
Norm spent his entire working life as an employee of PPG Industries, starting his career in 1946 in Crystal City, MO, moving to Cumberland, MD in 1956 and finally settling at the Mt. Zion plant in 1965. He retired in 1988 after serving a number of years as the Director of Human Resources. Norm was respected at PPG as a man of honor and integrity and he touched the lives of many co-workers during his tenure. He helped to launch the careers of many young professionals with his approachable manner and wise counsel.
Norman and Colleen are members of the South Shores United Methodist Church and have provided a great deal of support to their church over the years, including keeping the church accounting records, paying the bills, handling the mail, assisting with maintenance, and making sure there was always something thought provoking on the church sign out by the road. They both also have been big supporters of the Macon County Historical Society. Norm spent many hours assisting with the relocation and reconstruction of the courthouse where Abe Lincoln first performed as a sitting judge.
The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. Mario Velasco and Dr. Edward Elliott, and to the St. Johns Hospice team for their care and compassion during Norm’s time of need.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm, Sunday, August 9, 2009 in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home. Funeral will be 12 noon Monday, August 10, 2009 in South Shores United Methodist Church. Burial will take place in Macon County Memorial Park, with military rites by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the church or God’s Shelter of Love.
The family of Norman C. Curtis is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL.
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