BLACKSHER, Norman L. Born on June 23, 1923, in Gainesville, Mo., passed away at home on December 2, 2009, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife Susan of 34 years, sons Norman D. of Seattle, and Steve of Colorado, and daughter Susan (Richard) Gredvig of Texas. He is also survived by stepdaughters Jane (Dick) Crable of Sacramento, Linda (Bret) Anderson of Santa Rosa, and Diane (Mark Sasway) Frederic of Manhattan Beach, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Norman is a veteran of World War II where he served with the 35th Fighter Control Squadron of the United States Army in New Guinea and in the Philippines; earning numerous combat medals. Following the War he moved to the Bay Area and then Sacramento in 1958 as a manager with the Oroweat Baking Company. He later managed the automotive service center for both Sears and Wards in Sacramento. The passion of his life for the past 46 years has been his active involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous serving as a sponsor and mentor to numerous persons in their quest for a better life through sobriety. Funeral services and gravesite burial will be held at Sierra Hills Memorial Park, 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, December 7. Friends and family are invited to attend this celebration. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Sacramento Recovery House, Inc., 1914 22nd St., Sacramento. Published in the The Sacramento Bee on December 5, 2009