Norman P. “Norm” Domblisky

Norman P. “Norm” Domblisky, 89, of (North) Philipsburg, died Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Penn Highlands Clearfield.

Norman was born on July 14, 1929, in Coaldale, a son of the late John L. and Jennie (Swisher) Domblisky.

Norm went to work while still in high school for the family coal business and for other coal mining companies in the Hawk Run area.

He was married on February 28, 1953, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the former Avadean M. Stephens, who preceded him in death on May 10, 2009.

Like most of his generation, Norm felt the call to duty to serve his country. He enlisted in the US Army and completed his basic training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. His storied military career would span over two decades and would include the following assignments from around the globe: Okinawa, Japan during the Japanese post-war occupation period; the 187th. RCT during the Korean War era; the 503rd. AIR included stations at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Alaska, Yucca Flats, Nevada and participation in General Douglas MacArthur’s retirement parade; the 503rd. AIR and the 127th. ABN Engineering Battalion in Munich Germany; the 8th. Inf while stationed in Lebanon and Ft. Lewis, Washington; the 34th. Inf in Korea; HQ Co. 3rd. Inf at Fort Myer, Virginia and Co. A, 1st. BG, 3rd. Inf (“The Old Guard”) at Ft. L. J. McNair, Washington, D.C. It was during this period of Norm’s military career that he was assigned to conduct Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He was also assigned to President John F. Kennedy’s funeral procession and burial detail.

He was then assigned overseas to the Korean (DMZ) with the 3rd. BDE and then back stateside to Ft. Knox, Kentucky, with the 554th. ENGR. Subsequently, Norm was assigned to Vietnam and would serve two tours of duty with the 554th. during the Vietnam War era.

Following his Vietnam service, he was assigned stateside at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois with the 5th. US Army ROTC Instructional Group, at Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana and University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.

Norm would retire from active duty in July 1969, after 21 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant and numerous awards, medals and citations to his credit. Most notably, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. He would eventually return to military service and serve with the US Army Reserve from November 1981 to July 1989.

Following his active duty military career; Norm returned home and was employed as a night watchman with the former Philipsburg General Cigar plant. He also drove truck delivering house coal to area residents. He threw his hat in the local political ring and ran as a candidate in the 1984 election for the 77th. District, PA State House of Representatives.

Norm was also very involved with service to his local area. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, a Life Member of the VFW – Post 3450, Life Member of the Military Order of Cooties – Pup Tent #58, Life Member of Hope Fire Co. and a member of the American Legion – Post 0437, all of Philipsburg. He was a member of the Centre Hill Grange #885, of Morrisdale; where he served as Master for several years, served with the Bloodmobile, Granger’s Kitchen and former Food Chairman for the Clearfield County Fair. Norm also served with the Civil Air Patrol stationed at Mid-State Airport. Most notably, though, he served as a member of the Moshannon Valley Independent Honor Guard and its predecessor, the Philipsburg Honor Guard. During his service with the honor guard, Norm, along with his fellow members, accorded Military Honors for over a thousand deceased veterans throughout central Pennsylvania.

Norm is survived by one daughter, Barbara E. Domblisky, who survives at home; one sister, Dorothy Cantolina, of (North) Philipsburg; one brother, William “Butch” Domblisky, of (Black Moshannon) RD Philipsburg; and numerous other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by four sisters: Florence Zorens, Margaret Heeman, Mary Patricia Arroyo and Anna Mae Kosky; three brothers: George, John and Robert Domblisky; two nieces, Rose Marie (Kosky) Schultz and Colleen (Cantolina) Dixon; one nephew, John W. Domblisky; and one great-nephew, Daniel S. Dixon, in addition to his parents and wife.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Noon, at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg, with Rev. Brenda K. Leigey, officiating.

Visitation will be at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Friday, January 25, 2019, from 4 to 7 pm and on Saturday from 11 am until the time of the service.

Military Honors will be accorded at the funeral home immediately following the funeral service.

Interment will be in Allport Cemetery.