Norman Holmes Jr.

Norman Shorty Holmes, 86, of Gilman, died Saturday, June 21st, at his home. Memorial services celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 25th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Bobby Shomo, chaplain of the Iowa River Hospice officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Prairie View Cemetery at Gilman. Following interment, all are invited to a fellowship at the American Legion Hall on Main Street in Gilman. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph 641-844-1234. Born on November 14th, 1921, on the family farm in Marshall County, Iowa, he was the son of Norman, Sr. and Hilda (Flocker) Holmes. He graduated from the Gilman High School. During WWII, he served our country honorably in the United States Army and was stationed in the European Theatre and North Africa. On April 1, 1943, he was united in marriage to Mary B. Hobbs in Gilman. They made Gilman their home where he was a 62 year member of the Gilman American Legion, the Gilman Community Church and was a member of the VFW and the MIBC. Shorty was employed at Fisher Controls for 33 years and enjoyed gardening, bowling, fishing in Canada and loved his family and friends. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Diane Bowers of Gilman, son Alan Holmes of Gilman, daughter-in-law Deb Jacobson of Dillon, grandchildren: Teresa (Brad) McCall of Grinnell, Melissa Otis of El Sobrante, CA., and Jason (Sheila) Bowers of Gilman, nine great-grandchildren, sisters: Stella Stack of Rialto, CA, and Tee Clay of Gilman, brother-in-law Fritz Clay of Gilman and several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. In death he has rejoined Mary B. Holmes, his beloved wife who died December 29th, 2004, son Richard R. Holmes, parents and grandsons, Shane Bowers and Justin Campbell.