Rodney William Norman

Rodney William Norman, age 94, of AuTrain, died with family members at his side on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on December 18, 1920 in Cadillac, Michigan to the late Alvar and Bessie (Klinge) Norman. Rod grew up in Cadillac and graduated from Cadillac High School in 1938. He went to the University of Grand Rapids where he earned his degree in Accounting. Rod married Florence Johnson on September 21, 1942. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from September 27, 1942 until April 21, 1946. Rodney spent time on the USS Murzim ammunitions ship in the South Pacific during WWII. When the War was over, Rod and Florence lived in Sparta from 1945 until 1985. Rodney gave his life to the Lord in 1955. He loved the country of Israel and visited his friend Esteban there twice. Rod and Florence were members of the Sparta Baptist Church, and Rod worked as the Business Manager for Child Evangelism Fellowship. They retired to AuTrain in 1985 and enjoyed their retirement together. They were married over sixty-four years when Florence preceded him in death on January 4, 2007. Rod enjoyed sports whether he was participating in them or watching them on the television. In his youth, he liked to downhill ski, run track, and play baseball. Rod held the high hurdles record for Cadillac's High School for nearly forty years. When he moved North, he took up cross country skiing. Rod enjoyed staying active throughout his life. He attended the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore. Rod loved Bible prophesy and was looking forward to the Rapture of the Saints.

He is survived by three daughters - Kathy (John) Barnhart of AuTrain, Nancy (Enoch) Jen of Hudsonville, MI, Vickie (Dave) Hoecherl of Johannesburg, MI; their two sons - Bill (Marty) Norman of Grand Rapids and John (Marcella) Norman of Panama City, Panama; nine grandchildren - Laurel, Ivy, Bob, Bill, Kyle, Katie, Courtney, Shelby, and Mark Daniel; and twelve great-grandchildren. Rod was looking forward to joining his "Lovely Florence" in heaven.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Rod's funeral service in the funeral home's chapel at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors.