Norbert "Norb" Dreiling, 80, of Russell died July 15 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita after a short battle with leukemia. Norb was born Nov. 10, 1927, in Victoria, the youngest of 13 children born to Michael and Clara (Bollig) Dreiling. He grew up in Victoria and attended school there.

Norb served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was stationed in Hawaii and was a driver and did bomb disposal. After the war, he returned to the Victoria and Russell area where he lived almost all of his life.

Norb was united in marriage to Ina M. Oswald on Feb. 14, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Russell. This union was blessed with three children, Francis, Teresa and Carol.
Ina preceded him in death on April 16, 2003. He was united in marriage to Rita Graf on April 24, 2004, also at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Russell.

Norb worked in the ready-mix concrete business for more than 40 years; he was the Russell plant manager for many years. He was assistant chief of the Russell-Grant Township Fire Department for 31 years, retiring in 1997. After retiring, he helped at the Pohlman Mortuary for a few years.

Mr. Dreiling was a member of St. Mary's, Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Russell. He was a First and Fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He also belonged to the Russell VFW Post 6240, the Russell American Legion Post 99 and the Concrete Workers Union. He loved spending time with his family, bowling and volunteering for activities at the church and cooking at the American Legion. Norb was also very dedicated in visiting family and friends who were sick or needed help at the hospital, nursing homes or at their homes.

Surviving family include his wife Rita of the home; son Francis Dreiling, daughter Teresa Rogers, and daughter Carol Boxberger; five grandchildren, Chris Dreiling, Jennifer Verhoff, Cory Dreiling, Mandi Blundon and Tyler Boxberger; two great-grandchildren, Cheyenne and Clay Blundon with Baby Verhoff on the way; and extended family, Jane Rogers, Mark and Teresa Graf, Luci and Graci; Brad and Michelle Graf, Jori, Reggie, and Taylor; Kim and Jim Sly and Kristi, and Sandra and James Wright.