Norman Thomas Shuert, age 72, left his earthly body and was received to new life by his Lord and Savior on March 10, 2013. Born May 6, 1940, in Shelby Township, Michigan, he was the 4th son of Lyle and Esther (Nigro) Shuert, both of whom preceded him in death, as did his younger brothers Howard and Dale.
Norman, an intelligent man who loved learning, earned several degrees: a bachelor’s from Loyola University in 1963; a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Tulane University in 1967; a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Biblical Languages, both from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in 1982. He was a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.
Norm began his career as a Systems Analyst at Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys) in Detroit, Michigan. But at age 38, he rededicated his life to Jesus Christ and decided to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. Desiring to touch lives through teaching, writing, and ministering, Norman served as a professor at Trinity Bible College in North Dakota from 1982 to 1990, where he was greatly respected by faculty and students.
Afterwards he returned to Springfield to serve as an adjunct professor at Central Bible College. Norman then worked with the AG Department of Missions at Latin America Resource and Development Ministries and ended his career at Global University in 2006. “Norm” desired to enjoy his time on earth but more than that, to make a difference wherever he could. His servant’s heart led him into a variety of activities, such as serving on the Board of Elders at his church, Evangel Temple Christian Center; becoming a six-gallon blood donor; and authoring Biblical Prayers for Every Need, a book of prayers based upon Scripture.
He also delighted in his many travel experiences to places such as Hawaii, Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean, and Israel. Norman dearly loved his family, who will miss his thoughtful, gentle spirit in their lives: his wife Bettyann (Hyde), whom he married November 24, 1966, in Richmond, Virginia; their three children and spouses—Amy (Shuert) and Brent Braunberger (Crete, Nebraska), Jeffrey and Julie Shuert (Lombard, Illinois), Brady and Hope Shuert (Claymont, Delaware) as well as his seven grandchildren—Aaron, Mark and Daniel Braunberger, Ellie and Kate Shuert, Samuel and Carys Shuert. He is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law: Bruce and Katherine Shuert (Jacksonville, Florida), Keith and Elaine Shuert (Oxford, Michigan), and Lyle and Joyce Shuert (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan). Norm slowly left his family and the many friends who loved him. They will always remember him as one who epitomized Paul’s sentiments in Philippians 4:11-13: to be content in all circumstances and to trust that he could, indeed, do all things through Christ.
Visitation will be at Greenlawn East on Tuesday evening, March 12, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Visitation will also be available Wednesday, March 13, preceding the memorial service at Greenlawn Funeral Home East celebrating Norm’s life at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Brent Braunberger and Rev. Charles Arsenault will be officiating. A private burial with family will be at Greenlawn Funeral Home North.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Evangel Temple Building Fund, 2020 East Battlefield, Springfield, MO 65804; or Trinity Bible College Memorial Fund, Advancement Department, 50 6th Ave S, Ellendale, ND 58436.