Dr. John Eugene Norman, OD

Dr. John Eugene Norman, OD, passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 24, 2016. He was born the younger of two children to his late parents, Dr. Eugene Flint Norman, DDS (d.1955) and Anna Martha (Kellams) Norman (d.1989), on December 11, 1922, in Huntingburg, IN, where four generations of Norman’s preceded him. He had one older sister, Marianna Norman (d.1994).

He graduated from Huntingburg High School (IN) in 1941 with a class of 45 students then attended Franklin College (IN) where he graduated in 1948. His studies at Franklin were interrupted by military service. While in college, he served as an Apprentice Seaman with the U.S. Naval Reserve from September 1942 through January 1944. He then left Franklin, serving in the U.S. Army as a member of the 314th General Hospital stationed in the Philippines through May 1946. During his tour, he served as a Tech 5 Medical and Dental Technician, and earned a WWII Victory Medal and two Bronze stars. Following Franklin, he then attended Optometry school, where he obtained his DO degree and his license to practice in Indiana, on April 25, 1949.

John first established his own optometry practice on N. Main Street in Evansville, IN, where he practiced for over 20 years. Later he joined the team at Rose Optical in Evansville, and finally became a partner of Sun Optical where he finally retired from in 1997.

He married his wife Joan (DeGroote) Norman (d.2005) in 1956, and is survived by their one daughter, Alice Ann “Ali” (Norman) Goebel, her husband Greg (Sarasota, FL), and their three granddaughters, Anna (Flittner) Hildebrandt and husband Travis (Evansville, IN); Leslie (Flittner) Silva and husband Carlos (Sarasota, FL); and, Alexandra “Alex” Goebel (Sarasota, FL). He is also survived by four great-granddaughters; Zoe Marie Tenant, Mia Rae Hildebrandt, Kali Grace and Kaylee Jade (twins) Silva and one great-grandson, Jayden Nizaiah Silva.

As early as high school he was remembered for saying “An honest man is able to speak for himself,” and it was a lifelong practice for him. A brother of the Indiana Freemasons and Dubois Lodge No. 520 for over 50 years, he also became a member of the Valley of Evansville Scottish Rite in 1949 achieving the level of 32°. He lived his entire life seeking to exalt the dignity of every person and maximize service to humanity.

John moved to Florida for the last eleven years of his life, where he enjoyed the sun, sand and water of Sarasota. He was loved by all and known as gentle and kind. He enjoyed telling jokes along with enjoying a cigar with a fine bourbon.

Private graveside services will be held at Shiloh Cemetery in Jasper, IN, where Norman will be buried alongside his wife, as well as many other members of the Norman family dating back to the 19th century.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in John’s name to the American Optometric Association Foundation at www.AOAFoundation.org. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.