Obituary

OBITUARY

Norman B. Nace, Jr., 97 of Hanover passed away peacefully in his own home and went to be with the Lord as he was surrounded by members of his family on Thursday, May 5, 2022. He was the beloved husband of 74 years to Janet M. (Wintrode) Nace.

Born March 4, 1925 in Hanover, he was a son of the late Norman B. Nace, Sr. and Myrtle A. (Rebert) Nace.

As a youth, he graduated from Eichelberger High School in 1943. He lived on the family farm in Hanover until he joined the Army in 1944. Norman served 2 years during World War II in the Pacific Theater with the 730th Engineers. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon.

He met Janet Martha Wintrode at her father’s public farm sale and married her a few months later on September 27th, 1947. They spent 74 married years together on their farm on Fairview Drive in Hanover, which is widely known by the community for putting up a “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” sign across the road each year. In addition to farming, Norman was employed by the United States Postal Service. He started out as a rural delivery driver using his own car. He graduated to the Main Hanover Post Office followed by work at the Doubleday Mail Room, and then handled registered mail in Harrisburg for many years. He finished his 30 years of civil service back in Hanover. He received a Service Award and was recognized for his 30 years of service in the Postal Service on February 26, 1982. Norman retired at the age of 57 but continued to work as a farmer. Additionally, he was a part-time delivery driver for W.L. Sterner, Inc. Norman received his five-gallon American Red Cross blood donor pin in 1996 and then continued to donate blood for many more years.

Norman was one of the original founding members of the West Manheim Hunting Camp located in Germania, Potter County. As a community volunteer, he started out as a Cub Master for Pack 118. Later, he became a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 118.

He was awarded the District Award of Merit in 1972 and given a Plaque of Appreciation by Troop 118 in 1974.

In 2001, Norman was honored by Penn Township at an appreciation banquet for his 10,000 hours of service to the community.

He joined the Gideon Grange 2010 at the age of 14 and was a member for 80 years during which time he held several offices and also served as Assistant Steward and President. He was also a member of Gideons International. He was part of the prison ministry. He and his wife, Janet, distributed countless Bibles to the young men and women being inducted into the Armed Forces at MEPS.

Norman and Janet loved to travel and took many vacations all over the world. In addition to visiting all 50 United States, they took trips to Denmark, Egypt, Ireland, 5 European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and visited Israel three times.

In addition to his wife, Norman is survived by 3 children: Stephen B. Nace and his wife, Beverly of Hanover, Joan B. (Nace) Sterner of Hanover and Jeffrey M. Nace of Walnutport, PA, as well as 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Bernice L. Nace; brother, Millard R. Nace and his wife Helen (Shaffer) Nace; and his son-in-law, Bradley E. Sterner.

A funeral service to celebrate Norman’s life will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 14th at Hanover First Church of God; 600 Fairview Drive in Hanover with Pastor Dan Thomas and Elder Stephen B. Nace officiating.

Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hanover. A time to share memories and an opportunity to view will be on Friday, May 13th at the church from 6-9 pm, and again on Saturday at the church from 10am until the start of the service.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon Bible Ministry by mailing to: The Gideons International Processing Center; P.O. Box 97251; Washington, DC 20090-7251 or by donating online at www.gideons.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzel Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Hanover.

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