Norman O'Nan

Norman O'Nan
Henderson, KY
Norman O'Nan, 88, passed away at 9 p.m., Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the Western Kentucky Veterans Center in Hanson, KY.
Norman was born in Little Dixie, KY to Leo and Mary O'Nan. He graduated from Niagara High School and then was drafted into World War II. When the Germans learned of this they surrendered the very next day. After the war, he graduated from University of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he captained the basketball and baseball teams. He then played semi pro baseball all over the south. Norman was known as a "Power Hitter", and many of his baseballs were hit so hard that they are still being searched for today. Eventually Norman returned to Henderson and began his teaching career. He also coached both baseball and basketball at Corydon High and Henderson County High Schools. Norman won seven straight basketball district titles from 1957-1964 for Henderson County High School. His 1961 basketball team won the regional title and qualified for the Sweet Sixteen Tournament in Lexington, KY.
Later, he worked for the Henderson County Board of Education where he was in charge of bus transportation until his retirement in 1981. He then pursued his lifelong love of hunting, fishing and gardening. His many adventures with his hunting buddies were legendary. In 1989, Norman was honored to be inducted into the first class of the Henderson County Sports Hall of Fame.
Norman was a longtime fan of the University of Kentucky and the St. Louis Cardinals, but his number one team was always the Henderson County Colonels.
Norman was preceded in death by his wife Margene O'Nan, son Gary O'Nan, and brother Gene O'Nan.
Survivors include his daughter, Susan Kosley (Andy) of Colorado Springs, CO; sons, Von O'Nan (Jennifer) of Burlingame, CA and Kelly O'Nan (Julie) of Henderson, KY; daughter-in-law, Kathy O'Nan of Mayfield, KY; brothers, David and Ralph O'Nan of Henderson, KY; grandchildren, Chad Allgood of Colorado Springs, CO, Meg Holmes of Nashville, TN, Ellen O'Nan of Mayfield, KY, Reece O'Nan of Henderson, KY, Madison O'Nan of Santa Cruz, CA and Noah O'Nan of Burlingame, CA; great grandchildren, Charlotte and Savannah Allgood of Colorado Springs, CO, and John Michael Holmes of Nashville, TN, many nieces and nephews
Relatives and friends are invited to Norman's Life Celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, Henderson, KY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Larry McBride at 12 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Henderson, KY. Burial will follow at St. Louis Cemetery in Henderson, KY. Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Worsham Post #40.
A Prayer Service will be held 6 p.m. Thursday at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, Henderson, KY
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Henderson County Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 242 Henderson, KY 42419
Pallbearers will be: Denny O'Nan, Phil O'Nan, Mark O'Nan, David O'Nan, Bernard O'Nan, and Chad Allgood.
Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentonglunt.com