Norman E. Clock

Norman E. Clock, age 95, of Bryan, Ohio, and a longtime winter resident of Hollywood, Florida, died at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at Genesis HealthCare-Bryan Center. Mr. Clock was a partner in Lester’s Diner, which opened in 1965, with Lester Bammesberger and later his son-in-law, Emil Mseis. Norm graduated from Bryan High School in 1936, attended college in the Midwest and South for several years, then moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at City College. He also took a part-time job at Paramount Pictures. He soon worked full time in the casting department, working on 42 major films with Cecil B. DeMille, Ingrid Bergman, John Wayne, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, as well as many others. One night he had dinner with Frank Sinatra while dating Irving Berlin’s secretary, who grew up as a neighbor of Frank’s. He was drafted into the Army during World War II. Following his service, he was a charter member of the AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II) and the first Pennsylvania Department Commander. During his time as Department Commander, he attended several meetings in Washington D.C. and met with a young congressman, John F. Kennedy, Senator McCarthy and General Omar Bradley. Over the years, Norm was a boxing and speedway promoter in Pennsylvania, an Industrial Personnel Director, and a franchise and real estate operator in Florida prior to moving back to the Bryan area. Norman E. Clock was born on June 29, 1918, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Dr. Earl and Jean (Park) Clock. He married Nora Jane Stover and she preceded him in death on October 16, 2002. Surviving are a daughter, Linda (Emil) Mseis, of Bryan, Ohio; granddaughters, Nanci (David) Frazer and Melinda (Steve) Michael, both of Bryan, and Flora (Lance) Seaton, of Chicago; grandson, Charles (Melissa) Mseis, of Bryan; and nine great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Taylor and Mason Frazer, Ashley Michael, Amber, Justin, Austin, Alexander and Hayden Mseis. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 5, 2013, in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio, with Pastor Larry Snavely officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 P.M., prior to the service. Military honors will be provided by the Bryan VFW Post 2489. Private family interment will be in Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan. Memorials in the name of Norman E. Clock may be given to Dream Haven, LLC or First Church of Christ.