John C. Norris

July 7, 2019

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John C. Norris, 94, of Frankfort, died July 7, 2019 at I.U. Health Hospital, Frankfort.  He was born June 25, 1925 in Frankfort to H. Fred & Magaline (Armantrout) Norris.  He married Rose E. Donnelly on August 2, 1949 and she preceded him in death on July 15, 2018.

Mr. Norris was a 1943 graduate of Frankfort High School and a graduate of Indiana University with a business degree.  A veteran of the U.S. Army from October 12, 1943 to April 20, 1946, serving in Europe during WWII.  Mr. Norris lived in Frankfort his entire life and was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church.  He was longtime owner of Norris Printing and Office Supply in Frankfort.  He was an avid golfer and gardener, a member of the former Frankfort Country Club and the Frankfort Kiwanis Club.

Visitation and Services

A funeral service celebrating John’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Goodwin Funeral Home, located at 200 S. Main St. in Frankfort with Pastor Phil Lake officiating. Burial will follow at Frankfort’s Bunnell Cemetery. A visitation will take place prior to service from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association with envelopes available at the funeral home.

Survived by:

2 Sons: John F. Norris of Frankfort, and Perry R. (Teresa) Norris of Loveland, OH, 3 Grandchildren: Stella (Tom) Juenger of Cincinnati, OH, Jack Norris of Denver, CO and Maggie Norris of Loveland, OH, 1 Great Granddaughter: Anja Rose Juenger

Preceded by:

In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Norris in 2009.

Condolences

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18 Condolences for “John C. Norris”

  1. Gregory Finch July 9, 2019 at 7:24 am

    Mr. Norris was a cornerstone in the Frankfort community, building a local business and contributing to the betterment of his hometown. He treated everyone whom he met in business, church and community with equal respect and courtesy. My grandmother, Mercedes Smith, worked at Norris Printing and Office Supply with John and Rose and whenever I visited as a kid, Mr. Norris always shook my hand like I was an adult, a broad smile across his face. Truly another member of the Greatest Generation who gave all to everything he did. My prayers are with my friend Perry and the Norris family.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 9:26 am

      Greg, here it is a month later on a Sunday morning and I’m just now getting around to reading the condolences. You seem to know so much about all the people of Frankfort and the town’s history. I read your note about Dad and can seeing him shaking your hand. That generation and the generation before that (I think of grandma Maggie) always treated people nice. Always tried to see the good in people. Thank you for your thoughts.

      Reply
  2. Jim & Pam Bricker July 9, 2019 at 7:25 am

    We are sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a wonderful employer, and both of us respected him greatly.
    Due to prior obligations we are unable to attend visitation but wanted you all to know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
    • Perry August 11, 2019 at 9:34 am

      As little kids, “Bim Bicker” was the way my sister Janet and I could only pronounce your name. I have very fond memories of playing on the hill beside Grandma Maggie’s house near yours. Those were good days. The heat of the summertime with the smell of dry grass and happy noise of TPA Park meant a trip to the concession stand.
      Pam, I know dad really liked you working for him at the store. Someone you could count on. That meant a lot in yesterday’s world in a smalltown business.

      Reply
  3. Michael J Frey July 9, 2019 at 11:10 am

    John, Perry and family
    My prayers and thoughts are with your family during this time of grief. John was a wonderful man and I will always remember his smile when I came into the store.
    God bless.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 9:38 am

      Michael, thank you for the kind thoughts. His smile is what so many people mention. It was quick and easy for Dad. It meant a lot to him to consciencely do that to make people feel welcome and at ease. But then again, I think that was a part of their upbringing and their generation. ‘It’s just what you do.’ Thank you for your note.

      Reply
  4. Butch Huffer July 9, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    John was a good guy, he will be missed. My prayers are with you. God Bless.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 9:40 am

      Butch, I remember him speaking kindly about you. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

      Reply
  5. Chaplain Deborah Musick July 9, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    John was very special to me. He attended chapel almost every Sunday at Wesley Manor, and we enjoyed many chats in the main living room. He always had a smile and a hello to welcome me. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you as you walk this journey without him.
    Chaplain Deborah

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 9:56 am

      Dear Chaplain Deborah, I remember meeting you the first time as we moved Dad into Wesley Manor. You brought a certain type of vibrancy and cheer to the Manor. Expressed the potential of a new life there for new arrivals. Moving in for many isn’t always 100% looked forward to. Dad would fit in that category. He knew it was the right thing to do, but he loved living in his house of 50 years. Coffee in the morning at the kitchen table quietly observing the family of deer slowly walk across the back corner of his yard into the woods. Or in February, seeing a bright, brilliant orange sunrise come up over the cornfield and woods. Brought the possibilities of the day.
      Church was so important to Dad. It was so important to his mother, Magaline and sister Ruthie. It was their bedrock of their life. Something immovable.

      Reply
  6. Tom & Jean Warren July 9, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    John was such a kind, good-hearted man and was such a loving husband to Rose. Tom enjoyed many a golf game with John and we both enjoyed a wonderful friendship with him. He will be missed.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 10:02 am

      Tom & Jean, thank you for your words of condolences. They really do mean a lot to me and my family. Without exception, everyone has said similar things about Dad’s temperment. I know them to be true, because that’s the way he was around the house as we were growing up. Steady-Eddy as they say. Thank you for mentioning mom. Dad was very devoted to her and visiting her each day as she made the slow march through the 3 1/2 years of dementia. It was a long hard road for Dad.
      Golf was his hobby for sure. I remember dad speaking fondly of his golfing buddies, such as Tom. Thanks again.

      Reply
  7. Christina (Danner) Brown July 10, 2019 at 4:04 pm

    John, so sorry for your loss. I remember your father from your store. He was a kind man.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Christina, thank you for your sentiments. It means a lot to our family to hear the nice words and thoughts that Dad meant to so many people in Frankfort. Thank you again.

      Reply
  8. Brad and Sue Stockberger July 11, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    So very sorry to hear of John’s passing! He was a lifetime member of the Frankfort Moose! A very nice and kind man!! Prayers for the family.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 10:06 am

      Brad and Sue, thank you for your kind words. Dad was devoted to Frankfort and it’s civic organization. That generation was duty-bound, if nothing else. I know he enjoyed the Moose and his friends out there. Thanks for the condolences. Our family appreciates the kind words.

      Reply
  9. Bill Clossin July 12, 2019 at 7:31 am

    Sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Norris, He was a true Frankfort institution who I knew dating all the way back to cleaning his golf clubs at the FCC back in the early 70’s. They didn’t make people any nicer. And we lost one of the greatest generation veterans of WWII. Profoundly sad and offer my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Perry, John, and the entire family.

    Reply
    • Perry Norris August 11, 2019 at 10:12 am

      Bill, you’re a good man yourself. Thanks for sending along your condolences to our family. The Store & Golf were synonymous when thinking about Dad for many people. In many ways, I would say the same. He had so many friends out there on the course and use to laugh about the funny jokes he’d heard or funny things that would happen out there. Somehow it seemed to keep life in perspective.
      Thanks for your thoughts. That generation was/is amazing. Their sense of duty gave all of our generation a sense of stability and a great place to grow up.

      Reply

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