Mr. Norbert Raymond Lannan, age 91, of Fairborn, Ohio, formerly of 213 South Oak Street, Loogootee, Indiana, entered this life on October 12, 1931 in Martin County, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Samuel Perry of Whitfield, IN, and Dolah Marie Haag Lannan of Cannelberg, IN. He was raised in Loogootee, Indiana with his nine siblings. Norbert was first inducted into the United States Army in 1948 and served for 10 years. During his service in the Army, Norbert was a tank mechanic, sharpshooter, and part of the Advanced Tank Targeting Team in Korea. He was chosen for Helicopter Pilot training and was recommended to become an Army Warrant Officer. He then transferred into the United States Air Force in Oct 1958 at Bunker Hill Air Force Base. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and was honorably discharged for the 6th and final time on July 31, 1969. Norbert earned his high school GED in 1950, and awarded a College GED in 1958. He was ultimately awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Air Force Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and the National Defense Service Medal. During his service in the Air Force, Norbert help institutionalize the Weighted Airman's Promotion System (WAPS) under the sponsorship of United States Representative L. Mendel Rivers which fundamentally changed the Air Force promotion system to be merit based. He was also a key member in establishing/instituting the Air Force Sergeant Association (AFSA). While in the service, Norbert lived in various parts of the US/world such as, Montana, California, Kentucky, N. Carolina, and various other states, and countries such as extended tours in Germany, and multiple Army and Air Force tours in Japan. While in Japan he met his future wife, Ritsuko Suzuki and this union was blessed with a son Bernard in 1956. After retiring from the Air Force on 1 August 1969 with 20 years, 7 months, and 23 days of total service, Norbert returned to Loogootee and worked for the Indiana Barr Township Beverage company; then owned and operated The Dairy Master 1969-1977. In 1977, Norbert and Cecilia moved to Phoenix, Arizona and bought the Sukiyaki Japanese Restaurant. He and Cecilia owned and operated Sukiyaki from 1977-1985. Norbert moved back to Indiana and continued his desire to travel, and drove school busses delivering them across the United States with his military buddies as fellow drivers. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was also a founding/lifetime member of the VFW Post 9395 in Loogootee, IN. Norbert was also a member of the AM VET Post No. 444 in Fairborn, OH, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) and a card-carrying member of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Norbert enjoyed politics and keeping up on current events. He was proud to be an Air Force veteran. Norbert died on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Fairborn, Ohio.
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A LOVING FAMILY
Norbert will be missed by his loving son, Bernard Emil Lannan retired Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, and his wife Patricia Kay Erler of Peachtree City, Georgia; his grandchildren, Emily Kay Vanderkley (Ian), Joanne Eleanor Bhatti (Rick), Heather Lynn Lannan, and Evan Bernard Lannan (Tiera Eberhart); his great grandchildren, Elizabeth Patricia Vanderkley, Jacob Emil Vanderkley, Eden Blaire Lannan, and Anjali Eleanor Bhatti; his sister, Norma Kay Lannan Hughes of Loogootee, Indiana; his life-long friend of 81 years, Doris Olive Williams Gingerich of Beaver Creek, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Perry Lannan, died November 30, 1976, his mother, Dolah Marie Haag Lannan, died December 27, 1986, his brothers, Joseph Murl Lannan (Vera Kovalchuck and Adeline Tews), died October 16, 2012, James Hubert Lannan (Betty Devault, Delores Case), died February 22, 2012, Martin Bernard Lannan (Mary Louise Kidwell), died February 27, 1994, and Michael Eugene Lannan (Donna Burch) , died September 25, 2020, his sisters, Rita Mae Lannan Strange Weaver (Dewey Weaver), died October 26, 2018, Ruth Ann Lannan, died September 29, 1949, Lois Lannan Bledsoe Downey (William Bledsoe, William Downey), died June 29, 2018, and Mildred Louise Lannan Jones (John Teak Jones), died May 13, 2012. Family Tree: https://www.myheritage.com/site-family-tree-439453/lannan
FUNERAL CEREMONY
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, September 25, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery,1415 North Gate Road Madison, Indiana
VISITATION
Friends may visit Monday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana.
MILITARY HONORS
A final salute with military honors will be conducted by the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion.
MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS
Memorial contributions may be made to . Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com
