Ward Norman

Ward T. Norman, 83, a resident of Mount Vernon, and a former resident of Oak Harbor, passed away Dec. 12, 2003, at Skagit Valley Hospital and Health Center.

He was born Aug. 6, 1920, in Fayette County, Ill., to Thomas and Mary E. Watson Norman. As a child, he moved with his family to Decatur, Ill., where he was raised and attended schools. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre. After the service, he married Jeannette I. Lizotte in New Hampshire March 18, 1946.

He worked in construction all of his life in Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Germany, and in Washington state. The family moved to Oak Harbor in 1959 and moved to Mount Vernon five months ago. He enjoyed wood working and square dancing. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeannette of Mount Vernon; a son, Clay Norman of Seattle; a daughter, Judy Butts of Priest River, Idaho; and grandchildren, Mark Norman and his wife Casey of Bellingham, Kayla Norman and Collin Hooper. He was preceded in death by a son, Clyde Norman, in 1998, a brother and two sisters.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. in Kern Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ron Deegan of First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon officiating. A reception will follow the service in Kern’s Social Room. Cremation was held at Mount Vernon Crematory with inurnment to be held in Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor. It is suggested that memorials be made to a church or to a charity of choice. Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon (360-336-2153), is in charge of arrangements.