Obituary of Robert Norvel

Funeral services for Robert Timothy Norvel of Troy, MO will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2009 at Annada Christian Church in Annada, MO. Randy Sherrow will officiate with burial in Old Alexandria Cemetery in Old Alexandria, MO. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dwane Spies, Chris Spies, Shane Dunlap, David Tillotson, Jay Johnson and Conner Jung. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Tillotson, Ezra Tillotson, John Norvel and Neil Spies. Mr. Norvel, 43, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2009 at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn in Scottsdale, AZ. He was born December 1, 1965 to Hubert and Lorena Goclanney in Whiteriver, AZ. He was later adopted by William "Bob" and Donna Tillotson Norvel. Robert was raised in an Air Force family until his father retired in 1978. He lived in New Jersey, Mississippi, Colorado, and Missouri. He started school in Colorado and attended in Mississippi and Missouri. Every summer he spent with his grandparents, the late George and Bernice Tillotson and Bill and Ruth Norvel. Robert was a Christian and was a member of the Annada Christian Community Church. He was preceded in death by one brother, Herbert Goclanney. Survivors include his parents, Bob and Donna Norvel of Troy; and one brother, Corey Norvel of Moscow Mills, MO. He also leaves his God Parents, Paul and Betty Johnson of Aurora, KY; six step-children: Tre Bead, Kelsey Tessey, John Stanley, David Stanley, Lynn Stufflebean, and Jack Falwell; his special friend, Lisa Brisscete; several aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Ten years ago he located his birth family and was able to spend time with them. Robert was very proud to be a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. While in Arizona he attended the Apache Christian Church, usually taking Tre with him. In Arizona, he is survived by his father, Hubert Goclanney; his mother, Lorena Goclanney; two brothers: Hilbert Goclanney and Hubert Goclanney, Jr.; two sisters: Lydia Goclanney of Whiteriver, AZ, and Ramona Goclanney of Glendale, AZ; many cousins, aunts, uncles, and many friends. In Apache there is no word for "Good Bye", so see you later Robert! At the wishes of the Goclanney family his body was first taken to Whiteriver, AZ on White Mountain Apache Reservation for an Apache tribal wake and Christian service. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the family of Robert Norvel in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.