Norman Sinclair
Jerseyville |
Norman C. Sinclair, 94, died on November 23, 2009 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville, Illinois after a short hospitalization. He was born on October 15, 1915 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Frank and Louise (Baum) Sinclair. He married Kathryn E. Stanley on October 9, 1937. She survives.
Norman and Kathryn established Sinclair Food Markets in July 1940 in a small building on East Spruce Street in Jerseyville. Always progressive, they later built larger stores on East Exchange Street in 1949 and at Lincoln Avenue and Route 16 in 1965. These stores were later consolidated in 1991 into the current Sinclair Foods market located on Sinclair Drive in Jerseyville. They operated their grocery stores along with their children, Beverly Metzler and Stanley Sinclair, and their spouses, Gordon Metzler and Shirley Sinclair, until their retirement. Sinclair Foods is now in its third generation of family operators with grandson Scott Metzler and David Wittman, husband of granddaughter Debra Wittman, now managing the store. Norman was a 1934 graduate of Jersey Township High School and attended the 75th reunion of the class in September 2009.
Norman was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville and was a lifetime member of the Jerseyville Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois. He was a member of the Jersey County Historical Society. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army from February 1945 through July 1946, and was stationed in Germany with the Army of Occupation. He served for a number of years on the Board of Directors of Associated Grocers Company of St. Louis. He was an avid photographer and several of his photographs of still life and landscapes won awards in regional and state competitions.
Norman will be remembered by his family, many friends, and customers as one who loved people and was always ready with a quick story. Although he suffered from Parkinson's disease in his later years, the disease did not diminish his outgoing personality and love for people.
In addition to his wife, Kathryn, Norman is survived by five children and their spouses, Beverly and Gordon Metzler and Stanley and Shirley Sinclair all of Jerseyville, James and Susan Sinclair of Godfrey, Jane and Scott Hilk of Madison, Wisconsin, and Mary Kaye and Timothy Pohl of Chicago; eleven grandchildren, Richard Metzler and his companion, David York, Scott Metzler and his wife, Kim, Cynthia Mevorah and her husband, David, Debra Wittman and her husband, David, Kathy Sinclair, James Sinclair and his wife, Stephanie, Emily Sinclair, Matthew Hilk, Nathan Hilk, Kathryn Pohl, and Jacob Pohl; eight great grandchildren, Logan Metzler, Isabella Metzler, Jeffrey Mevorah, Alexandra Mevorah, Jennifer Mevorah, Blake Wittman, Kathryn Wittman, and Ella Sinclair; and a brother, Bertren Sinclair. He was preceded in death by his parents, a great grandson, Mark Wittman, his sister, Frances Sinclair, and a brother, Herschel Sinclair.
Burial was private on November 28, 2009 in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville. A memorial service will be held on January 16, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville at 3:00 PM followed by visitation with family members at the Church. Officiating: Rev. Don Stribling, Memorials may be made in Norman's honor to the First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville. It is requested that flowers be omitted. Alexander and Gubser are in charge of arrangements.
Norman and Kathryn established Sinclair Food Markets in July 1940 in a small building on East Spruce Street in Jerseyville. Always progressive, they later built larger stores on East Exchange Street in 1949 and at Lincoln Avenue and Route 16 in 1965. These stores were later consolidated in 1991 into the current Sinclair Foods market located on Sinclair Drive in Jerseyville. They operated their grocery stores along with their children, Beverly Metzler and Stanley Sinclair, and their spouses, Gordon Metzler and Shirley Sinclair, until their retirement. Sinclair Foods is now in its third generation of family operators with grandson Scott Metzler and David Wittman, husband of granddaughter Debra Wittman, now managing the store. Norman was a 1934 graduate of Jersey Township High School and attended the 75th reunion of the class in September 2009.
Norman was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville and was a lifetime member of the Jerseyville Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois. He was a member of the Jersey County Historical Society. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army from February 1945 through July 1946, and was stationed in Germany with the Army of Occupation. He served for a number of years on the Board of Directors of Associated Grocers Company of St. Louis. He was an avid photographer and several of his photographs of still life and landscapes won awards in regional and state competitions.
Norman will be remembered by his family, many friends, and customers as one who loved people and was always ready with a quick story. Although he suffered from Parkinson's disease in his later years, the disease did not diminish his outgoing personality and love for people.
In addition to his wife, Kathryn, Norman is survived by five children and their spouses, Beverly and Gordon Metzler and Stanley and Shirley Sinclair all of Jerseyville, James and Susan Sinclair of Godfrey, Jane and Scott Hilk of Madison, Wisconsin, and Mary Kaye and Timothy Pohl of Chicago; eleven grandchildren, Richard Metzler and his companion, David York, Scott Metzler and his wife, Kim, Cynthia Mevorah and her husband, David, Debra Wittman and her husband, David, Kathy Sinclair, James Sinclair and his wife, Stephanie, Emily Sinclair, Matthew Hilk, Nathan Hilk, Kathryn Pohl, and Jacob Pohl; eight great grandchildren, Logan Metzler, Isabella Metzler, Jeffrey Mevorah, Alexandra Mevorah, Jennifer Mevorah, Blake Wittman, Kathryn Wittman, and Ella Sinclair; and a brother, Bertren Sinclair. He was preceded in death by his parents, a great grandson, Mark Wittman, his sister, Frances Sinclair, and a brother, Herschel Sinclair.
Burial was private on November 28, 2009 in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville. A memorial service will be held on January 16, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville at 3:00 PM followed by visitation with family members at the Church. Officiating: Rev. Don Stribling, Memorials may be made in Norman's honor to the First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville. It is requested that flowers be omitted. Alexander and Gubser are in charge of arrangements.
Obit Provided By:
Alexander Funeral Home
Alexander Funeral Home
