O. Gene Norman

Orval Gene Norman, 83, left this earth and entered Heaven’s Gates January 28, 2021.  He was born November 2, 1937 in Norman, Indiana to Charley O. Norman and Ethel Marie Hanner Norman. 

Gene was librarian emeritus, having served in the Roy O. West Library at DePauw University from 1960-1961 and Cunningham Memorial Library at Indiana State University from 1961 until retiring in 2001.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marcia Ann Jordan Norman, whom he married September 5, 1992; three sons, Mark Alan Norman of Plainfield, Indiana; David Lee Norman (Jonie) of Terre Haute, and John Stephen Norman of Terre Haute; five grandchildren, Zachary Norman, Elizabeth Norman, and Austin Norman all of Terre Haute, Megan Norman Millspaugh (Joe) of Vincennes, Indiana, and Eric Herron (Kim) of Clarksville, Tennesee; five great grandchildren, Chase Fitzek, Jayda Millspaugh, and Brynley Millpaugh of Vincennes, Indiana, and T.K. Herron and Liam Herron of Clarksville, Tennesee; one great-great grandson, Osias Asher Clyde Fitzek; brother-in-law Charles Jordan of Indianapolis, four nieces, Diane Stegemeyer (Terry) of Spring Lake, North Carolina, Rita Edwards (Shawn) of Danville, Illinois, Sherry Brady-Yagle (Allen) of Speedway, Indiana, and Julie Green (Larry) of Indianapolis, Indiana; two nephews, Tom Kelly (Rhoda) of Danville, Illinois and Chuck Jordan of Indianapolis, Indiana.  In addition are several cousins and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Ona Colleen Norman Kelly.

He earned his bachelors degree in speech from Indiana State Teachers College in 1959 and his master’s degree in library science from Indiana University in 1960. He was listed in the Who’s Who in Library Information Services and the Directory of Library and Information Professionals. For several years he taught library science extension classes in Evansville for ISU in reference and bibliography.  Gene contributed to several scholarly reference publications, published a number of articles in professional journals, and published over 100 book reviews.  After retirement, he enjoyed gardening, visiting with his grandchildren, serving in the church library, traveling, and playing his guitar.

He was a member of Free Life Community Church, American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, Indiana Library Federation, American Association  of University Professors, Congressional Quarterly Advisory Council of Librarians and Teachers, Copyright Committee of Indiana Partnership of Statewide Education, ISU Faculty Senate, ISU Faculty Assembly, and Friends of the Cunningham Memorial Board.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Free Life Community Church from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Due to the pandemic the funeral service will be family only.  Dr. Dan Willis will be officiating.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park.

If friend so desire, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Free Life Community Church, 1620 S. 20th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803 or to the 14th and Chestnut Community Center, 1403 Chestnut Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.  Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.

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