Norman R. Gamblin

Norman R. Gamblin, age 86, of Manteno passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Citadel of Kankakee. He was born in Muhlenberg County, KY. Norman was the youngest of seven children, the son of Adron & Mary Elizabeth (Crossman) Gamblin. Norman enjoyed hunting and searching the woods for Indian arrowheads and acquired quite a collection. He loved the outdoors. In high school, he won diving competitions and was a lifeguard at the community pool. Norman was voted best looking his senior year. After high school, he enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard for a total of five years of service while attending college in Business Administration in Nashville, TN. Norman was called to active duty for 12 months while the Berlin Wall was being built. He was stationed at Ft. Knox, KY and Savanna, IL. While in Savanna on leave, they would cross the Mississippi River to Dubuque, IA and have a hot dog and a beer for a quarter. Norman was hired with the Illinois Central Railroad in 1954 as a clerk. He retired as manager in the Operating Department after 43 years of service. After retiring, he worked a few years at Harrah’s Casino in Joliet, which he enjoyed immensely. His nametag, “Gamblin” was commented on often. Norman married Marna Anderson in 1957. They had two daughters, Deborah in 1958 and Sarah in 1960. As a family, they continued his love of outdoors, hiking and camping regularly. The railroad transferred him to Chicago in 1960, where he remained the rest of his life. He was a freemason, like his father, for many, many years. Total unknown. Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Deborah & Mike Bell; four grandchildren, Jennifer Stovall (fiancé, Jason Schafer), Jason Winkelbauer, Lisa Syren (Tony DiPaola), and Ryan Jones; and six great-grandchildren, Marine Lance Corporal Kayla Stovall, Conner Stovall, Kyle Stovall, Aubrey Sauter, Dinah Syren, and Thor Syren. Norman was preceded in death by his wife, Marna Gamblin; his parents; one daughter, Sarah Gamblin; five sisters; and one brother. Norman was blessed with a church family, exceptional neighbors who would spend summers socializing in his driveway, and many loving friends, young and old, who cared for him to the end. Norman could always be seen around town in his “dapper” hats and walking cane. Stormin Norman will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Manteno. Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation. Inurnment, with military honors, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Norman R. Gamblin

August 28, 1935 - August 13, 2022