Kenneth ‘Dean’ Norman

April 20, 1942-Sept. 21, 2021

Posted

Kenneth “Dean” Norman, 79, of New Market passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, at Franciscan Health Lafayette East, with his wife, Betty, and daughter, Ronda, by his side; his son, Chris, arriving immediately thereafter.

He was born April 20, 1942, at Russellville, to Ralph Morris and Alice Marie Trusler Norman. He graduated from New Market High School and then joined the Air Force. After training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, he went on to Tokli, Thailand and Chanute AFB in Illinois, afterward serving in the Indiana National Guard.

Attending Indiana Barber College in Indianapolis, he worked in the Crawford Hotel Barber Shop for many years, as well as working in his own shops, including one on Cross Street in Waveland and one at his home. From 1986 until retiring in October 2000, he was a rural mail carrier through the Crawfordsville Post Office. He also was a school bus driver for the South Montgomery School Corporation, including several years driving for Waveland.

In August 1961, Dean married Janet Kelsey of New Market and to them two sons were born, Christopher Dean and Timothy Lynn. In December 1971, Janet passed away. He married Elaine Cosby of Waveland in October 1972 and they had two daughters, Erika Elaine and Ronda Lea. On June 10, 2000, he married Betty Price Harris of Lake Holiday and added two step-daughters, Stacy and Amy.

Dean’s affiliations included the Alamo Masonic Lodge, where he was a Master Mason, Eastern Star, Montgomery County Pioneer Club, Covered Bridge Tractor Club and Browns Valley Christian Church, where he served as a deacon. Known as a tinkerer, he loved to work on and restore mowers and tractors, especially Wheel Horse and BF Avery models.

He is survived by wife, Betty; children, Chris (wife Sherry Smith) Norman of New Market, Tim (wife Stephanie Cline) Norman of El Mirage, Arizona, and Ronda (husband Jeff Branham) Norman of New Market; two step-daughters, Stacy (husband Jason Frieze) and Amy (husband Michael Sims) of Indianapolis; and grandchildren/step-grandchildren, Caleb (wife Elizabeth “Biz” Slone) Norman, Jonathan Dean “JD” Norman, Kylee Norman, William (fiance’ Samantha Jones) Norman, Ella Watson, Dara Watson, Evan Watson, Cora Clos, Isabella Frieze, Nolan Sims and Austin Sims. He has one great-grandson, Jackson, and another one, Bellamy, due to arrive in October 2021. Sister- and brother-in-laws include: Nancy Kelsey Powers, Rita Kelsey Pinkerton, Terry (wife Lisa Exchenbach) Cosby and Barton Price. Several nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; wife Janet; daughter Erika, who passed away in July 1999; brother Richard Dale, who passed away in March 2003; and sisters-in-law, Leota Jones Norman and Virginia Patton Norman.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30 at Browns Valley Christian Church, 9011 S. State Road 47 Crawfordsville, IN 47933, with Pastor David Finch officiating. For those unable to attend, the funeral will be broadcast via Facebook Live on the BVCC Facebook page. Burial will follow in Indian Creek Hill Cemetery on State Road 47 where Dean will be laid to rest at the side of his daughter, Erika. Friends may visit with the family at BVCC 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, with Masonic Rites held at 7 p.m. The wearing of masks is encouraged, but not required.

Memorial contributions in Dean’s memory may be made to Browns Valley Christian Church. Please visit www.machledtservies.com (who are trusted with the funeral arrangements) where you may share a memory or condolences with the family.


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