Norman Weiss

Norman Weiss, 86, of Jackson passed away Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born Jan. 23, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, son of Henry William and Freida "Lula" Heuer Weiss.

He attended Cape Girardeau schools and graduated from Central High School in Cape Girardeau.

Weiss served with the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific Theater as a crew chief on a P-38 fighter for "Satan's Angels" 475th Fighter Group during World War II.

He graduated from the former Southeast Missouri State College in 1949 with a bachelor of science in agriculture.

Norman and Viola "Odie" Koerber were married April 24, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, and together raised three children.

He was a lifelong member of Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau serving on numerous boards and committees through the years. He was county director of the Agricultural Conservation Stabilization Services in Jackson more than 30 years, retiring in 1984.

He was named Friend of the Farm by Farm Bureau for his work in assisting farmers with helpful programs. He served as first president of the board of directors of the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, and was a board member more than 30 years, watching as the institution grew to include housing in different formats.

He served on the board of directors of the former Jackson Exchange Bank many years and as director of Southeast Missouri District Fair many years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow, past president and former member of Jackson Rotary Club, former member of Jackson School Board, Farm Bureau, Extension Board and St. Paul High School Board in Concordia, Mo.

Norman was a great outdoorsman, hunting quail with his beloved dogs and friends. He worked the family farm his whole life, raising crops, dairy and beef cattle, hay and briers for the wildlife. He was an avid pilot, great storyteller, fair golfer and loved by many.

Norman is survived by his wife, "Odie"; two sons, Michael W. (Debbie) Weiss of Bossier City, La., Chris N. (Lesa) Weiss of Jackson; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Dustin) Richardson, Elizabeth, Andrew, Jarrett and Abigail Weiss.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Weiss, and three brothers, Clarence, Arnold and Louis Weiss.

Visitation will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to service time at Hanover Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau, with military honors to be provided.

The family suggests memorials be made to Saxony Lutheran High School or Hanover Lutheran Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.