NORMAN LOUIS GOVERNALE died at home during the early morning hours of June 29, 2024, at the age of 91.

Born on October 13, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, Norman was the only child of Rosa Sophia Governale (nee Guiffra) and Vincenzo Charles Governale. Norman was preceded in death by both parents and his beloved wife, Catherine Napper Governale.

He will be lovingly remembered by his son Jeffrey Vincent Governale of Lutheran Life Villages, Fort Wayne, Indiana, his daughter Susan Mary Mangan and devoted son-in-law Michael Thomas Mangan of Cleveland, Ohio.

Norman will be dearly missed by his cherished grandchildren Katherine Rose Mangan, Michael Connor Mangan, and Declan Patrick Mangan. Norman shared wonderful conversations, hours of board games, and boat rides on the lake with his dear grandchildren. Norman's grand dog Lucy will miss his warm slippers and her place by his favorite chair.

Norman is also survived by his beloved cousin Rita Fuscone (nee Oddo) of Chicago, Illinois; cherished sister-in-law Margaret Adams (nee Napper) of St. Louis, Missouri; dear brother-in-law and wife Patrick and Peggy Napper of Billings, Missouri.

Norman was devoted to Catherine's mother, father, siblings, and many nieces and nephews. In fact, just weeks before his passing, his brother-in-law Pat, and nieces Terry and Missy came to spend time with Norman at the lake. These memories will always be treasured.

Friends and family from Billings, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, and Angola, Indiana will miss Norman's kind spirit and lively conversation. Norman loved nothing more than to share his Chicago memories and to challenge friends and family with trivia and tricky crossword puzzles.

Norman lived a full life as a boy growing up in Chicago. As a schoolboy, he and the members of his club The Beaver Chiefs took part in neighborhood efforts during World War II. Young Norman and his pals helped plant Victory Gardens and collect scrap metal. In fact, Norman was named as a junior air raid warden in his Chicago neighborhood.

In 1954, Norman was drafted into the Korean War. He served his country as a staff sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division and the Eastern Army Air Command as a state side intelligence officer.

Norman's most fond memories, however, were of meeting the love of his life, Catherine Napper. He loved to share the story of how he drove all night on Old Route 66 from Chicago to Billings, Missouri to meet the family of his future wife and mother of his children.

Norman married Catherine on June 7, 1958, at St. Ferdinand Church in Chicago, Illinois where he also made his First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Norman attended high school at DePaul Academy. He later earned his BA and his MA in Philosophy from DePaul University.

In addition to his academic side, Norman was an avid, life-time athlete who enjoyed bike racing, distance running, speed skating, and cross-country skiing.

Norman spent his life sharing his talents. He taught staff development at Teletype in Chicago, but Norman's most defining and rewarding career choice began when he accepted a position as a high school English teacher at Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, Illinois. After 27 years as a devoted educator, Norman retired in 1996.

In 1997, Norman and Catherine retired to their lake home in Angola, Indiana and began a new chapter filled with friends who became family. It is there that both Catherine and Norman enjoyed peaceful times filled with birdsong, lake breezes, and weekly meetings with their Breakfast Club at Sutton's Deli.

Norman and Catherine celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends for a weekend of celebration on the shores of their lake and in the warmth of Sutton's café just four months before Catherine passed away.

It is only fitting that Norman passed quietly at his home where he felt at peace, held up by God's loving arms, joining his beloved wife, Catherine.

Norman's family will always be grateful for the loving service of Senior1 Care and Heart to Heart Hospice for their compassion and wisdom as they assisted Norman during his passage into his eternal, heavenly chapter.

A Celebration of Life honoring Norman will be held at Sutton's Deli, Angola, Indiana on Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Billings, Missouri, at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 27. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BAYarts or ACRES Land Trust.