Richard D. Norton

Richard D. Norton, 85, of Athens, died on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, surrounded by is family at the Evergreen Senior Care.

Richard was born on July 1, 1936, in Battle Creek to Ernest and Ruth (Hayward) Norton. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1955. On April 10, 1959, he married Karol A. Kikstadt in Battle Creek.

Richard worked for many years at Clarage Fans in Kalamazoo. He also worked for Eaton’s in Battle Creek, Griswalds in Union City, and Paragon Tac in Emmett Township. Richard was a member of the Wakeshma Community Church and was a 4-H Swine Club leader for 18 years along with his wife Karol. He and Karol were avid campers taking part in the Roving Volunteers in Christ Service traveling across the country and in Mexico to help several different churches and orphanages. In later years he found his niche working along with Ron and Sandi Elwell, full time missionary from Wakeshma Church at the children’s home in Reynosa, Mexico. That is where he and Karol fell in love with the children.

He is survived by his wife Karol; children Ron (Kim) Norton, Julia (Charles) Witthuhn, and Sandra (Jim) VanArman; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Donald Norton; and a sister Margaret Newman

A visitation for friends from 10AM to 11AM followed by a memorial service at 11AM will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Wakeshma Community Church, 1732 E UV Avenue, Fulton.

A luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the memorial.

Please consider memorial contributions to Wakeshma Community Church, 16732 E UV Ave, Fulton MI 49052 or Life Enrichment and Activities 111 Evergreen Road Battle Creek MI 49037. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 2838 Capital Ave SW Battle Creek MI 49015.