Norvel Wampler

Norvel E. Wampler, 88, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Jackson Manor.

He was born Nov. 30, 1927, in Crump. His parents were Omer Otis and Ora V. Crump Wampler. He and Mary Aleene Morgan were married Jan. 20, 1950, in Whitewater.

He graduated from Delta High School where he played on the basketball team. After graduation, he worked at International Shoe Co. in Cape Girardeau. In 1956, he went to work for Missouri Utilities and retired from Ameren after 33 years. Norvel served four years in the U.S. Naval Reserves Unit in Cape Girardeau, where he received an honorable discharge.

He loved the Lord and was very active as a deacon, choir director and several other positions for many years at First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. He had a great love for music and sang in several groups, from quartets to choirs. In his later years, he was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson. He also loved to have fun, tell jokes and play tricks on his family and friends.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Aleene Wampler; two daughters, Karen (Dean) Johnson of Jackson and Joyce (Tim) Hawkins of Montgomery, Indiana; three sisters, Janice McClard of Jackson, Gloria Proffer of St. Louis and Janene Givens Niswonger of Jackson; one brother, Wayne Wampler of Sherman, Texas; four grandchildren, Julia (Brent) Bowman of Buford, Georgia, Travis (Stacie) Johnson of Hanford, California, and Jason and Nick Hawkins of Montgomery; five great-grandchildren, Christian and Allie Bowman of Buford and Corinne, Benjamin and Anniston Johnson of Hanford; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Edna Sitzes, Ella Dee Corbin, Ruth Proffer and Evelyn Vancil; and one brother, James E. Wampler.

We would like to thank all the individuals and groups who were so kind and caring to Norvel. There are too many to list by name, but we appreciate each one of you.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home-Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with chaplain Elijah Allen and pastor Lucas Clabough officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights in Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or First Baptist Church of Jackson.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.