Chief Master Sergeant DeWayne “Russ” Norville, USAF, Retired, of Galesburg, formerly of Roseville, died at 4:38 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Seminary Manor.
Russ was the 14th and the last remaining 15 children born to Harry and Blanche (Reed) Norville. He was born January 13, 1933, in Stronghurst. He was raised in Roseville, graduating from Roseville High School in 1951. He married Mid Sympson of Monmouth on September 5, 1952, who supported him throughout their 67 years of marriage with his careers, having many moves and frustrations. Mid preceded Russ in death on October 2, 2019.
He is survived by five grandchildren, Harrison, Joshua, Jordan, Cary, and Cory; eight great grandchildren, Mikhayla, Justin, Jacob, Olivia, Jasmine, Dana, Fallyn, and Kyle; two great-great grandchildren, Alayna and Carter; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, John DeWayne and Terry Lee; five brothers, Harry Jr., Rex Wendell, Richard, Robert, and Kenneth; and nine sisters, Lucille, Roberta, Margaret, Naomi, Irene, Ruth, Norma, Carolee, and Opal.
Russ enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and retired from it in 1975. When a Staff Sergeant, he and his team won championship honors in the World Wide 1961 Strategic Air Command’s Nuclear Weapons Loading Competition, resulting in immediate and permanent promotions. He served throughout the United States, and in Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, including a full year tour in Vietnam, then another three years on Okinawa and at Utapao, Thailand with the B-52 bombing operations during the war. As the B-52s were returning from the last mission of the war to Utapao, on August 15, 1973, he then returned to the United States. He earned and was awarded the Bronze Star for his war efforts. He received numerous other awards during his Air Force career and was one of the very few to attain the rank of CMSgt in less than 20 years. When not directly involved in the Vietnam War, he spent most of his years with the Strategic Air Command’s nuclear operations in the course of the Cold War with the Soviet Union and other Communist countries.
After retiring from the Air Force, Russ, with help from Mid, attended Western Illinois University from 1975 to 1977, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with high honors. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. After graduation, he was employed by Dohrn Transfer Company for several years. He was then employed by Carl Sandburg College JTPA as an Employment Specialist, where he received local and state awards including the American Legion Citation of Recognition for his services helping veterans obtain meaningful training and employment. Russ again retired in 1998, although he continued to work for the College during the summer months performing various duties for JTPA/WIA programs.
Russ’ greatest enjoyments were the times when the grandchildren, and later, great grandchildren, would come visit he and Mid for a period of time during summer months. He enjoyed gardening, yard work, and traveling with Mid on trips they planned and not the government. Russ, like his wife, loved animals, especially his three Black Labrador Retrievers.
Russ was a member of the American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans Association, and Air Force Sergeant’s Association. He also contributed monthly to the Wounded Warriors, Shriners Children’s Hospital, and Knox County Humane Society and regularly to the USO, Boystown, the Fisher House, and others. He was a member of Roseville Christian Church.
Graveside service with Military Honors will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, in East Linwood Cemetery. Rev. Mary Runge will officiate and honors will be provided by the United States Air Force and VFW/Legion/Amvets Veterans Honor Guard. There will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
