02/11/2026
Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held following the service at The Columbia Fire Station/Community Center. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Columbia United Methodist Church.
Norman was born July 1, 1939, near Gosport, Iowa, to Ray and Lorain Kingery. He attended elementary school in Gosport and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1957.
He first met Eileen Richards while riding the school bus, then years later they reconnected while standing up in their best friends’ wedding. They were married on March 8, 1959, right in the middle of a March blizzard. Together they raised two sons, Timothy and Jody.
Norman grew up on the family farm near Gosport, helping with dairy cows and whatever chores needed doing. He was active in 4-H as a kid and later became a leader when his own children joined the Friendly Fellows 4-H group. In high school, he served as president of the FFA chapter.
He was a hard worker his whole life, but he always made time for his boys. He played ball with them, showed up for 4-H, Boy Scouts, and school events, and taught them how to work by bringing them along on extra construction and remodeling jobs.
Norman worked maintenance and custodial jobs for the Knoxville Schools, drove a school bus for a time, and worked off and on for many years at Spahn and Rose Lumber Yard. He was also a carpenter.
He and Eileen loved square dancing and music festivals, traveling and camping at events all over the Midwest. They were very active at Columbia Methodist Church, whether it meant taking on remodeling projects or simply lending a hand wherever help was needed. Columbia was always home. They especially enjoyed community traditions like the haunted barn and blocking the roads.
Norman liked to fish and meet friends for coffee. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease-especially if he could get someone just a little riled up. 
He considered that a win.
Norman passed away on February 11, 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Kingery; his parents, Ray and Lorain (Betterton) Kingery; and his siblings, Patricia Wallace and Richard (Shirley) Kingery.
He will be deeply missed by his sons, Tim (Laura) Kingery and Jody Kingery; grandchildren Steve (Jordan) Kingery, Ashley Kingery, Jessica (Joey) LeMay, John (Nicole) Kingery, and Caleb (Madysinn) Kingery; great-grandchildren Morgana, Wilder, Taylor, Reed, Ayva, Asher, Kali, and Hudson; brother-in-law Dean Wallace; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.