Robert “Rob” Leon Norton, 55, of Sturgis, Mich., and formerly of La Porte, Ind., passed away May 22, 2021, at Sturgis Hospital.
He was born March 14, 1966, in LaPorte to James Norton and Jean (Smith) Cannan.
Rob was a 1984 graduate of La Porte High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing from Indiana University in 1989.
While living in La Porte, Rob was a very successful master painter and owned and operated Norton Painting. His failing health forced him to close this business and in 1997 he moved to Sturgis, where he operated R&D Estate Jewelry & Coins.
Rob was a very passionate, kind, caring individual who never met a stranger, respected his elders, and loved life. He also was a bit of jokester and enjoyed playing a prank or two on his family and friends, whom he truly loved to be around and spend time with. He enjoyed traveling and having fun and was a jack of all trades. If he didn’t know how something worked or it needed fixing, he would research it until he figured it out.
Surviving are his partner of 26 years, Dana Mayer of Sturgis; 1 sister, Debra (Gale) Clough; and 2 brothers, Randy (Cathy Miller) Norton and Danny “Tiny” (Judy) Norton, all of La Porte; 2 aunts, Pat Porter of La Porte and Ruth (Fred) Nichols of Lenore City, Tenn.; 3 nephews, Mike (Bridget) Clough, Danny (Ruthie) Carpenter and James (Lacie) Carpenter; 2 nieces, Trisha (Jeremy) Collings and Bonnie Clough; several cousins, including a close cousin, Jeff Barnard; and several great-nieces, great-nephews and step-siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Randall Tefteller.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 3 to 6 p.m. La Porte time Friday, May 28, at Radiant Life Church, 907 N. Nottawa St., Sturgis, Mich. A celebration of his life with sharing will take place at 6 p.m. La Porte time immediately following the visitation at the church. Cremation will follow and interment will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sturgis, at a later date. Hackman Funeral Homes, Sturgis, is handling arrangements.
Memorial donations may be directed to A.R.F. Animal Rescue Fund, P.O. Box 593, Centreville, Mich. 49032.