Norman Nivens

Norman Nivens, 93, of Jamestown, passed away on Monday, May 22, at the Harry S Truman Veterans' Memorial Hospital in Columbia. Norman graduated from Centertown High School in 1942. He was Captain of the Centertown Red Birds basketball team. After high school, Norman served in the Army's 671st Tank Destroyer Batallion during World War II from 1942-1946. He was a charter member of the Centertown American Legion Post. After returning from WWII in 1946, Norman met Nevelyn Lucille Edwards while refereeing a volleyball game in Centertown. They were married in St. Louis on September 25, 1947. They lived in Centertown, St. Louis, Marion, Owensville and Boonville before moving to Jamestown in 1960. Norman worked for Vic Witthaus in Centertown. In 1962, he started his own gas business in Jamestown. After selling the gas business in 1973, Nivens TV & Appliance was up and running and Norman became a Shelter Insurance agent. Norman was Mayor of Jamestown for 26 years serving from 1969-1995. Norman's hobbies included gardening, hunting and fishing. He spent many weekends at their place at Truman Lake catching crappie and catfish. He was an avid Missouri Tigers basketball fan and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He coached Jamestown Little League baseball for several years. He was responsible for Tim Young's nickname, "Yogi." Norman is a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Jamestown, the Jamestown Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. A recent major highlight in Norman's life was going on the Honor Flight. He talked about the trip for months after going. He also was honored by the Women of Moniteau County with a Quilt of Valor in 2015. Along with his parents, Norman was preceded in death by: his wife, Nevelyn; a daughter, Mary Kay Nivens; a son, Thomas Dean Nivens; three brothers, Martin, Earl and Carl; and two sisters, Fern and Faye. Survivors include: three sons, Norman Kenneth "Ken" with his wife, Linda, James David "Jim" with his wife, June, Gary Steven with his wife, Kathy; three daughters, Judith Ann "Judy" Inglish with her husband, Chuck, Carol Virginia Ford with her husband, Ray, and Sara Lynn Loesing with her husband, Mark; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. The family received friends at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 9:00-12:00 p.m. Funeral services followed at 12:00 p.m., Rev. Tom Fair officiated. Interment was held at New Hope Cemetery with full military honors. The family gathered at the Jamestown Community Building in Jamestown following the service for dinner. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or New Hope Cemetery. On-line message to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com