Norman Carl Hilgeman

Norman Carl Hilgeman, 100, passed peacefully on February 5, 2025, one week before his 101st birthday. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Bettie Jane Hilgeman, his brothers Don and Kenneth, sister Evelyn, and son Spencer, who died shortly after birth. He is survived by his two children, Gary (Pam) Hilgeman and Tamara (Kevin) Whalen; seven grandchildren, Brandon (Krista) Hilgeman, Spencer (Melissa) Hilgeman, Anna Hilgeman, Kelby (Becca) Hilgeman, Andrew (Ali Fisher) Whalen, Alexandra (Aaron) Shanahan, Austin (Laura) Whalen; and nine great-grandchildren, Taylor, Emily, Van, Finn, Ben and Harper Hilgeman, Bettie and Max Shanahan, and Josie Whalen-Fisher.

Norman was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on February 12, 1924 to Frederick and Elnora Hilgeman. After graduating from high school in Portland, Indiana, Norman and his closest friends pledged their service to the United States, splitting a single beer between them in honor of their commitment. He joined the Navy in February 1943, and after graduating from torpedo school served aboard the light cruiser USS Cleveland in the Pacific Theater. He achieved the rank of Seaman 1st Class and was notorious among his friends for once having jumped overboard to retrieve a basketball. Upon his return, Norman married Bettie Hilgeman, née Friddle, in April 1946.

Norman was a sign-maker by trade, co-founding Summit City Signs in the 1960s. He was president of the Indiana Sign & Display Association and served as chairman of the legislative committee. Many of his signs and billboards still represent local businesses and light the Fort Wayne sky.

After his retirement in 1998, Norman and Bettie spent winters in Navarre Beach, Florida, where they beach combed and rode bicycles among the sand dunes. For sixty years he spent summers on Long Lake in Coldwater, Michigan, where he hosted grandchildren and kept his extensive garden. A committed gardener, Norman shared his bounty of vegetables with friends and neighbors. He was famous in his community for his vegetable soup, made in a cast iron cauldron over an open fire.

Norman will be remembered by his family as principled and dependable. He was a beloved grandfather, who shared Westerns, Popeye cartoons, and The Three Stooges. He told the same two jokes for forty years. Faith was also important to Norman. For many years he attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, and later was a congregant at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida. His dedication to family will be a model to his loved ones for the rest of their lives.

A memorial service will be held at Concordia Cemetery Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation at Amyloidosis.org.

Arrangements entrusted to D.O McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home 1140 Lake Ave. Fort Wayne, IN.