Norman Korsmeyer

Norman R. Korsmeyer, 94, of Rushville, died Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.

He was born July 12, 1921 in Cass County, the son of Louis and Amelia Fricke Korsmeyer. He married Betty Lamb on December 16, 1951 at First United Methodist Church in Beardstown.

Surviving is his wife Betty Korsmeyer of Rushville; his children Cynthia Korsmeyer of Beardstown, Ken (wife Kristine) Korsmeyer of Rushville, and Alecia (husband John) Crowe of Beardstown; seven grandchildren Jennifer (husband Robert) Dotzert, Jonathan Korsmeyer, Jill (husband Jason) Barth, Ashley (husband Casey) French, Adam (wife Holly) Crowe, Erik (wife Christine) Crowe, and Paul Crowe; eleven great grandchildren Hunter, Hayden, and Halle Dotzert, Killian, Flynn, and Kennedy Barth, Caroline, James, and Claire French, and Clay and Shelby Crowe; three sisters Irene Lamkin, Dorothy Lamb, and Joan Korsmeyer; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Lew Korsmeyer, and two brothers Melbourne, in infancy, and Willard J. (surviving wife Carnell) Korsmeyer.

Norman graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1939 and attended Bradley University in Peoria. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was a member of Carlson’s Raiders at Bouganville and Guadalcanal and a member of the 5th Marines on Iwo Jima, where he was wounded and later received the Purple Heart. After the war, Norman was a member of the Marine Raider’s Association and the 5th Marine Association. Norman farmed in the Cass and Schuyler County areas his whole life. He was a baptized and confirmed member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown. Norman served as a 4-H Leader and was a Drainage Commissioner for Valley, Clear Lake, and South Beardstown districts.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday, September 19, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown with Reverend Douglas Evenson officiating. The family will meet with friends from 8:30 AM until 11:00 AM Saturday morning at the church. Burial will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials have been suggested to Guthrie-Pierce VFW Ladies Auxiliary Relief Fund or St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.

Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.