John Norman Obituary
John was a well-known figure in Crete, known for his commitment to his community and country. John, also known as the "flag man," was the proud caretaker of Crete's 21 flags for the past 10 years until his passing. He took this responsibility with honor and pride, raising and lowering the town's flags when local and national events occurred.
John's hobbies included designing and painting signs for the Crete Memorial Day Parade Float which he looked forward to participating in each year. John also enjoyed walking to Crete Closet Collectables to find treasures for himself and his grandsons. John was a model train enthusiast and over the years of collecting and repairing, crafted a model railway where five train tracks run simultaneously through meticulously reconstructed scenarios. This is something his grandsons always looked forward to seeing.
John was the beloved husband of 46 years to Cindy Norman, loving father to Ashley (Kris) Keca, and cherished and devoted Grandpa John of Greyson and Colton. John is survived by his brothers, Robert (Margo) Norman, Steven Norman, Charles (Judy) Norman, and sister, Patricia Norman. John is preceded in death by his father, John Norman and mother, Jaqueline Norman.
Military services to honor John's life and service will be held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Those wishing to attend the memorial service should meet at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery public information center by 9:45 am. John will be deeply missed and his commitment to his nation and his community will be forever remembered by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Crete Historical Society and Museum - 550 W Exchange St, Crete, IL 60417, in John's honor.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Randy Simonaitis
August 6, 2025
So sorry to hear about this. Loved spending time with John in various activities especially volunteering at Bulldog games and softball. He loved his town and was certainly a must see as The Grinch at the Christmas parade. My condolences to his family.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Greg Siefert
August 4, 2025
My condolences to the family . I knew John from Crete Monee athletic boosters , when I would cook brats at football games , and he and Marc Pessetto would come by for pre game dinner . He also took our used American flags from the recycle center to have the American Legion dispose of properly . Like many others , I will miss seeing him walking around town tending to the flags . A good man .
Linda Nelson
August 4, 2025
My heart is saddened to hear about John´s passing. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
The Nelson Family (Linda, Art, Bryan, and Cathy)
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in John Norman's name
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Norman's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
