Carol M. Norton

Carol Norton was a woman cut of the warmest, kindest cloth, who always volunteered her time, her effort and her love. She was so many things to so many people a loving wife and mother, proud grandmother, devoted sister and daughter. But more than anything, Carol was a wonderful example of the good in people. Carol was born in Muskegon, Michigan on May 8, 1931, during a difficult time in American history, the Great Depression. Despite the economic hardships of the era, her parents, Vernon and Agatha (Tufts) Lake, provided a healthy and stable home for Carol and her sisters, Glenna and Marlene. While her mother tended to their home and the girls, her father provided for the family working at the Campbell, Wyant and Cannon Foundry, as well as their farm. Along with her sisters, Carol grew up with an appreciation for hard work, pitching in with the farm chores. In the summer, when her chores were done, she loved to head down to Little Black Lake for a swim. For education, Carol attended Little Black Elementary School and Muskegon Heights High until the 9th grade. Carol and her older sister, Glenna, eventually moved to Grand Haven and got an apartment together. After some time, Carol met Ozzie Oswald and they were married in 1948. A year later, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Michael, who was Carols pride and joy. When her marriage to Oswald dissolved, Carol went to work at Camfield Manufacturing Co. in Grand Haven to support her son. She then met Bill Martinson and they were eventually married. Bill and Carol bought a home on Hile Road in Muskegon, where Michael began attending Hile Elementary School. After school, Michael came home to his Aunt Marlene, who babysat for him; they always had a lot of fun together. After Carols 10-year marriage to Bill ended, she sold their home on Hile Road and moved back to Grand Haven, where she got a new job at Polyply Composites, Inc. as a Molder. Then, in 1967, Carol was overjoyed to become a grandmother to her first grandchild, Michael Jr. It wasnt long though before Carol found another love in her life when she was introduced to Ken Norton through his daughter, Kay. Ken was a mechanic and loved to work on cars. The two fell in love on the spot and were happily married in 1970. Carol and Ken made their home together in Grand Haven, and before long Ken and Michael developed a pretty close relationship with each other. As a family, they enjoyed going camping in their travel trailer and taking their boat out for some fishing on Muskegon River. They also shared many great times at Grandpa Lakes farm, where they had bonfires and hayrides, and swam in Carols childhood swimming hole in Little Black Lake. Some time later, Carol and Ken moved to a home at 373 Dee Road, which was right next door to her mother. Carol lost her dad, Vernon, in 1988, so it was nice that she could go over and visit her mom every day; they played countless card games together. It was only a few years later that Carol sadly lost her beloved husband Ken in January 1990. In November of that same year, her sister, Glenna, introduced her to Bob Langan and they became great companions and enjoyed many great times together. A year later, Carol endured another great loss when her sister, Glenna, died of cancer on July 25, 1991. After 30 years with Polyply, Carol retired in 1992, and enjoyed spending more time with her family, whom she loved dearly. Last summer, Carol was devastated when her son, Michael, died of cancer on July 10, 2007. She was already suffering with congestive heart failure and after losing her son, her health only continued to decline. Carol died on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at the age of 77. Carol was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and will be deeply missed and fondly remembered always. Carol is survived by her stepson, John Norton of Montague; stepdaughters: Karen (Derol) Kirby of Arkansas, Kay (Joe) Brifnek of Spring Lake; 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Sue Chaney-Oswald of Twin Lake; mother, Agatha Sturgis of Muskegon; sister, Marlene (Roger) Presley of Muskegon; several nieces & nephews; special friend, Bob Langan of Muskegon. Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; father, Vernon; son, Michael Oswald; and sister, Glenna Anderson. Services for Carol will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Clock Chapel Fruitport. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carol M. Norton Memorial Fund. Please visit Carols memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.