Norman John Schabacker 1921-2015

SCHABACKER, FELGENHAUER, DORENKAMP, SCIULLI, EBY, COURTNEY, BROOME, HALSNE, THOMPSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 10/1/2017 at 18:03:06

Fawcetts Funeral Homes & Cremation Services
Winthrop, Iowa

NORMAN JOHN SCHABACKER

Norman John Elmer Schabacker, 94, was reunited in Heaven with his loving wife, Pearl (Dorenkamp) Schabacker on Monday, December 14, 2015.

Visitation will be from 4 PM until 7 PM Thursday, Dec. 17 at Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop and after 10 AM Friday, Dec. 18 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein. Funeral Services will be at 11 AM Friday at Zion Lutheran Church.

Norman was born January 10, 1921, to Fredrick Adolph and Ida (Felgenhauer) Schabacker near Rochelle, IL. He was the eighth of seven children. The family moved from Illinois to north of Stanley, Iowa, when Norman was very young. They moved around and lived in the Manchester area as he grew up. Norman graduated from high school in Manchester.

He married Pearl Ellen Dorenkamp September 22, 1944. Norman was in the Army and quickly was deployed to the South Pacific during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star. According to a family member's research, Norman should have received a Silver Star for his courageous act, saving several lives. Unfortunately, a fire at a military records facility destroyed the eye-witness accounts of this event.

When Norman returned from the war, he and Pearl started their family. They had four children, Randall, Rodney, Marcia, and Nancy. The family lived in the rural Lamont area and later moved into Winthrop. Aside from farming most of his life, Norman also worked at Henderson's and Wilson Foods. When he retired from Wilson Foods in 1986, he worked as a hired-hand for the Short Brothers Farm, south of Winthrop. Norman also was known for mowing a few lawns around Winthrop and blowing a little snow.

Norman was an avid fisherman, card player, and enjoyed spending time with his large extended family. In his younger years, he was known for being a good softball player. All of the nieces and nephews enjoyed playing ball against him and the other brothers at family reunions.

Norman is survived by son, Rodney "Charlie" (Cathy) Schabacker of Winthrop; daughters, Marcia (Gabe) Sciulli, Northfield, OH, Nancy (Gary) Eby, Kirkland, WA, and daughter-in-law, Mary Schabacker, Ankeny, IA. Norman is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Courtney, Waterloo, IA and Georgiabell Broome, Rochelle, IL; eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Randall; granddaughter, Kaitlyn, great granddaughter, Olivia; all six of his brothers, Fred, George, Bill, Adolph, Clarence, and Albert; and two sisters, Mary Halsne and Esther Thompson.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 18, 2015 in the Zion Lutheran Church at Oelwein, Iowa with rev. Leo Combs-Lay officiating. Music provided by Dortohy Wolfgram. Csketbearers were John (Jack) Bowden, Richard Retz, Phil Short, Steve Schabacker, Tyler Hare, and Matthew Schabacker. Honorary bearers: Michael Broome, Francis (Butch) Halsne, Terry Schabacker, Tom Schabacker, Paul Short, and Bret Nickerson. Interment in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens at Hazelton, Iowa with military honor rites.

The Fawcett Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Winthrop is assisting the family with arrangements. Online at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com.