WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Kenneth J. Norton, age 64, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at his home.
Ken was born May 29, 1945, in Coldwater, a son of the late Charles Rex and Margaret (Hawver) Norton.
Ken had lived most of his life in Colon and had graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1964.
He had worked in law enforcement, starting out with the Bronson Police Department. He later worked as an officer for the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and was also Chief of Police for Colon for 17 years, retiring in 2006. Ken was currently employed at Palamino Industries of Colon.
Ken had attended the Colon Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his children, Kevin (Karen) Norton of Leonidas, Kenny (Sharon) Norton of Sturgis; Kim (Brad) Neveraski of Elkhart, Ind., J.J Norton and companion Sara of Ohio, Kelsey Norton, Shane Norton and Megan Norton, all of Colon; friend and companion Sue Ellen Snyder of Colon; 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; two sisters, Carla K. (Brian Barnes) Norton of Kokomo, Ind., and Jo Ann (Wayne) Desness of Kalamazoo; a brother, Charles R. Norton of Muskegon; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Taylor Nereraski.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Kenneth J. Norton will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Colon Baptist Church, with Pastor Robert Baxter officiating. Cremation will follow. Private interment of cremains will take place at a later date at Matteson Township Cemetery.
If desired, the family asks memorials be made in memory of Ken to the Colon Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.
