Norman Rex Gallentine passed away Monday, September 5, 2016 at his home in Oberlin, Kansas at the age of 89. He was born on October 2, 1926 on the family farm near Clayton, Kansas to the late John and Zoe (Goodman) Gallentine. He grew up in the Clayton area and graduated from Clayton High School with the Class of 1945. On December 27, 1950 he was united in marriage to Julianne Scheetz at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, Kansas. They were blessed with six children, Becky, Emily, Gary, Gene, Rex, and Tami.
Norman was a hardworking, creative man who enjoyed working with his hands, taking care of his family, and helping friends and neighbors whenever they were in need. He was a farmer and carpenter, even building the home his family enjoyed for many years. He worked for the Good Samaritan Home for 12 years and Creative Dimensions. Oftentimes, while out pheasant hunting with the boys, he would take the longer, harder route just so the walking was easier for everyone else. He was a man of strength and character, who loved his neighbor as himself; but the greatest love of his life, was his family.
Norman is survived by his wife Julie; children Rebecca Rohr and husband Al of Colorado Springs, CO, Emily Waldo and husband Dale of Salina, Gary Gallentine and wife Tracey of Titusville, FL, Gene Gallentine and wife Kristi of Clayton, Rex Gallentine and wife Connie of Milford, and Tami Shaw and husband Joel of Oberlin; grandchildren Damon Rohr (Angela), Hayley Wilson (Dave), Chad Rohr, Daphne Plumer (Brad), Holly Gillund (Jeremy), Jessica Harris (Zach), Alison Grennan (Joe), Ashley Gallentine, Kelly Gallentine, Jason Gallentine (Leia), Kelsey Peters (Caleb), Jordan Gallentine, Connor Gallentine, Braden Gallentine, and Dante’ Robertson; and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents John and Zoe Gallentine; sister’s Lora Arnold and Vanetta Anderson.
Freud said, “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” Norman lived this truth every single day of his life from the very first moment he became a father to the moment of his death. The strength of his love and protection will continue to guide and direct us, for the rest of our lives, and for all of the generations that follow us.
Celebration of Life Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Gateway in Oberlin. Private inurnment will be in the Clayton Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Services of Phillipsburg or Golden Age and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Homes, 723 N. First, Stockton, Kansas 67669. Condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.