Norman LaRue Davis

A celebration of life gathering for Norman L. Davis, 74, of Chariton will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials are requested to the Chariton Booster Club.

Norman Davis, aka “the Banana Man”, worked for Hy-Vee for 47 years in the produce warehouse and specialized in the handling and ripening of the bananas. He was proud of his work for Hy-Vee and was a dedicated employee. Prior to beginning his career with Hy-Vee, he had worked for Johnson Machine Works and attended college in Kirksville, Missouri.

Norman was born October 10, 1947, to Guilford and Alice LaRue Davis. He had two brothers: Gil and Gene. Growing up in the Chariton area, he graduated from Chariton High School in 1965. Norman married Lynn Schmidt on June 11, 1976, and they were blessed with three sons: Josh, Chris, and Kyle.

Norman was a great Dad. He never missed an activity his boys were involved with and even coached their Little League Teams. Although he was a great Dad, he was an even better Grandpa. He lived for his six grandchildren, and they kept him entertained and very busy in his retirement.

When he wasn’t working or playing with his grandchildren, he did enjoy fishing and mushroom hunting. Norman was kind and generous, always willing to lend a hand or to help anyone in need, and always doing it with a smile and great sense of humor.

Norman passed away December 22, 2021. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Lynn; children: Josh (Emmy) Davis, Chris (Meagan) Davis, and Kyle (Callie) Davis; grandchildren: Maeli, Whitley, Aislynn, Mila, Bowen, and Quincy; along with many relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents: Guilford and Alice Davis; stepmother, Ella Davis; and brothers: Gil and Gene.