Obituary: Norman Grissom

December 19, 1929 – July 14, 2021

Norman Grissom, 91, passed away July 14, 2021, in Palm Harbor, Florida.

He was born December 19, 1929, in Mitchell, IN to Dennis and Cecile (King) Grissom.

Norman was a graduate of the Mitchell High School Class of 1948 and was elected president in both his junior and senior classes.

Norman was an employee/owner of the Mitchell Tribune since his high school days, where he enjoyed covering Mitchell MHS sports. A member of the United States Army, he served in Korea during the war and earned a Combat Infantryman Badge. He was a long-time member of the Mitchell Lion’s Club, a fifty-plus year member of the American Legion Cecil C. Martin Post 250, and also a member of the Jasper, Florida VFW. Norman served a term on the Mitchell City Council, was named a Sagamore of the Wabash, and served as president of his state editorial association. On May 31, 1975, Norman married Becky Flick Shipman. He and Becky purchased the Mitchell Tribune in 1978 and published it until their retirement in 2003.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Cecil Grissom, his brother, Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and his sister Wilma I. Grissom Beavers.

He is survived by his wife, Becky, and their children Beth Jernigan (Victor), Ginger Janda (Jeff), Christopher Shipman (Brandy); grandchildren Dylan Kahn (Trinity), Shannon Silverman, Joseph Silverman (Kai), Alex Shipman; great-granddaughter Bex Elaine Shipman; brother, Lowell Grissom (Bobette); and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 23 at Mitchell Cemetery.