SPARTA - Norman Svanda, 89, of Sparta, passed away at 9:15 am, Tuesday, October 25, 2016 in Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Norman was born on May 9, 1927 in Ava, Illinois, the son of Frank and Emma Lnenicek Svanda. He married Martha Jane Smith on September 13, 1947 at Denmark Baptist Church, Denmark, Illinois. Norman was the retired owner of Svanda Chevrolet in Sparta. He was a US Navy veteran, who served during WWII on the USS Titania. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sparta and the B.B.K. American Legion Post #480 in Steeleville.

Norman is survived by one daughter, Jacqueline (Michael) Miesner of Steeleville; one son-in-law, Dale Berry of Sparta; sisters-in-law, Augusta Smith of Illinois and Kathryn Smith of Arizona; six grandchildren, Brent (Liza) Bailey of Michigan, Matt (Amanda) Berry of South Dakota, Nicole (Anthony) Jonas of Wisconsin, Becky (Langston) Rose of Illinois, Kristen (Jim) Vizcarra of Missouri, and Betsy Berry of Missouri; and fourteen great grandchildren.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Bernice Berry; one granddaughter, Angela Berry; one daughter-in-law, Barbara Berry; five brothers, Andy, John, Victor, Frank and Otto; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, October 31, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Sparta with the Rev. Gary Feldman and the Rev. Robert Souders officiating. Burial will follow at Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta. Visitation will be at the First United Methodist Church in Sparta on Sunday, October 30, 2016 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Monday from 8:00 am until 10:00 am. Memorials may given to the First United Methodist Church in Sparta Building Fund or the American Diabetes Association. Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville is in charge of arrangements