Norman E. Bean

Norman E. Bean, 78, residing in South Bend, IN, passed away at 6:11 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2015.   He was born on May 29, 1937 in Culver, IN to the late William Clifford and Lela (Duddleson) Bean, and has lived in South Bend since 1966, coming from Culver.   On August 18, 1954 in Plymouth, IN, he was united in marriage to Mary Mann.

Norm is survived by his wife, of sixty-one years, Mary Bean; three daughters, Debbie (Chris) Miller, Diana (Gene) Meyers and Donna Bean (Richard Hoof), all of South Bend, IN; two grandchildren, Kelly (Derek) Henry, and Courtney (Robert) Bogunia both of South Bend, IN; four great grandchildren, Molly Manzer, Kaigen Henry, Elliot Henry, and Ryan Bogunia; two sisters, Margaret Bosel of Walkerton, IN; and Barbara (Robert) Whisman of Plymouth, IN; and five brothers, Cliff Bean of Mishawaka, IN; Leroy (Margaret) Bean of Culver, IN; Richard Bean of Plymouth, IN; Wendell Bean of Whitewater, WI; and Wayne (Kim) Bean of Plymouth, IN.  Norm was preceded in death by his parents; two grandsons, Michael McCollum and Chris Manzer, August 15, 2004, and two sisters, Lila Howard and Gloria Artist.

 Norm was co-owner and operator of Bean Welding for 37 years, retiring in 2002.  He loved working in his garage. "If he couldn't fix it -- it couldn't be fixed".  He and Mary also spent many winters in Ocala, Florida, where he enjoyed going to Flea Markets.  He enjoyed racing and riding motorcycles and was the President and Founder of the River City Dirt Riders, which had the motorcross track in Lakeville in the 1970's. He was a life member of AMA Motorcycle Association where he received several Regional and National awards.  He enjoyed going to Four Winds Casino, watching NASCAR, WWF wrestling, and loved watching the Three Stooges. Norman will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.  Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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