Mr. Francis Norris

Mr. Francis Lee Norris, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2016 with family gathered around at the Wedgewood Healthcare Center in Lakeland, Florida following an extended illness.

He was born on August 20, 1928 in Niles to Dick E. and Bertha J. (Knott) Norris. He was graduated from Niles High School was first employed at the former Camps Grocery in Niles while taking college courses in Business Administration. He served in the 1903rd Engineer Aviation Battalion of the United States Army, and was discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict.

After returning from the service, Fran owned and operated the former Quality Fruit Company for many years, delivering produce to area grocers and restaurants. He then joined the Teamsters Union Local #364 and drove for the former ATL Motorfreight and its successor, ANR Motorfreight from which he retired in 1993. He continued to live in Niles, but enjoyed winters in Lakeland.

Fran was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles, the Loyal Order of Moose #449 in Buchanan, and the American Legion Post #26 in Niles. He volunteered with the Niles area Meals on Wheels, was an Usher for the Detroit Tigers Spring Training at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, and enjoyed the fellowship of a Shuffleboard club. His greatest joy was his family.

On January 9, 1954 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles he married the former Vera Mae Rose Altergott. She was the love of his life, and they celebrated this year the remarkable Sixty-second anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Rose Norris and their children, Gary L. (& Marian LaBo) Norris, Nancy A. (& Jerry Pollay) Lowery, and Scott A. (& Annie Young) Norris, all of Niles; grandchildren Shaun (& Carly) Norris and Mikael (& Kelly) Norris; great-grandchildren Marshall Wismer, Ava Hoskins, and Finn Norris; Rose’s brothers, Rienholdt “Curly” Altergott of Buchanan, Michigan and Elmer Altergott of Niles; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Rose’s parents, Martin and Katy Altergott; a son-in-law, Mahlon L. Lowery; and Rose’s brothers, Ruben, Fred, and Larry Altergott.

Services for Francis Norris will be at 9:30 a.m. on his birthday, Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Fran may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, or to the National Parkinson Foundation.