Harold Norton

SIKESTON -- The Rev. Harold Oliver Norton, 70, died at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 2, 2007, at his home.

Born July 8, 1936, in Coal City, Ill., son of the late Harold Franklin and Pearl Rossio Norton, he was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in education. He received his master's in English from Webster University in St. Louis and graduated from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City.

A member and past president of the Southeast Missouri District English Teachers Association, he taught for the Sikeston Public Schools for 30 years and was active in Missouri State Teachers Association and the Sikeston Community Teachers Association.

Active in the United Methodist Church District Offices and a lay leader and member of the Board of Ordained Ministry, he was a member of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1962-2007.

In addition to serving the Senior Adults Ministry at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, he also served pastorates in Dogwood, Bridges, Bell City, East Prairie, Blodgett, Wyatt, Anniston, Piedmont, Patterson, Steele and Cooter and at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sikeston.

He was a master Mason and member of the Sikeston Masonic Lodge No. 310.

On Aug. 10, 1963, in Dogwood, he married Glenda Jo Hurley who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: three daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Randy Bohannon of Sikeston, Amy and Kevin Blanton of Sikeston and Meg and Stanley Swiney of Sikeston; one brother, Ken Norton of Joliet, Ill.; three sisters, Betty Svoboda and Roseann Wilson of Lockport, Ill., and Shirley Lindberg of Weems, Va.; and eight grandchildren, Brittany Bohannon, Blair Bohannon, Ross Bohannon, Elizabeth Blanton, Luke Blanton, Grace Blanton, Caroline Blanton and Ben Swiney of Sikeston;

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one half brother, Joe Bertot.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Geoff Posegate, pastor, officiating. Assisting will be the Rev. Jeremiah Reeve, associate pastor.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

First United Methodist Church

Senior Ministries

P.O. Box 682

Sikeston, MO 63801

Paid obituary