Norman Mollenkopf

August 20, 1918 - June 14, 2008

Norman Glen Mollenkopf, 89, of rural Pendleton, died Saturday, June 14, 2008 at St. John's Hospital in Anderson. He was born August 20, 1918 in Center Township, Hancock Co., IN, the son of Arthur Milton and Clara Ellen (Everett) Mollenkopf. He lived there until about seven years old, when his family moved to Fortville, IN, where he attended the local schools. In 1940, he started work for Delco-Remy in Anderson, IN.

He married Ruth Naomi Wastel on January 24, 1940. Three children were born to this union. His wife, Ruth, died on October 18, 1977. On November 4, 1978, he married Evelyn (Sobottka) Kelly-Wood. His wife, Evelyn, died on August 29, 2005.

Norman enlisted in the Navy Air Force on December 15, 1942 during World War II. Besides the U.S., he served in Trinidad, and Recife, Southeastern, Brazil. He was discharged in October of 1945, Rank (AMM 2C) Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class. He attended church at Christ Lutheran Church in Anderson, was an avid sports fan, especially when Purdue was playing. He liked to plant in his garden, play cards, and work the daily crossword puzzle.

After the war, he went back to work for Delco-Remy full time as a factory mold maker, and retired in 1980, with 40 ½ years of service, and combined this job with farming. Norman was a member of the UAW, Masonic Lodge of Fortville, The Fortville American Legion Post Number 6904, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Norman is survived by son Roger (Barbara) of Pendleton; daughter, Cheryl Mollenkopf of Anderson; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Kathleen (Dewaine) Erickson of Effingham, IL and Beryl Rydberg of Spooner, WI; four step-grandchildren; and six great-step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; wife, Evelyn; sons, Dr. Joseph "Joe"; sisters, Helen (Joseph) Clark and Mildred (Oscar) Oaks; brothers, Harold, Ora, Wilbur (Dorothy), Mike (Eleanor), Arthur (Lona) Vaughn, James (Violet), John, and Charles (Helen); and granddaughter, Jill Mollenkopf and grandson Michael Steven Larson.

Funeral Information

Visitation will be held at Seals Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral services, also at Seals, will be held on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Grove Lawn Cemetery, Pendleton.

 Service Information