Thomas Norton Jr.

Thomas Oral Norton Jr., 89, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born March 14, 1929, in Neelys Landing, son of Thomas and Grace Rumfelt Norton Sr. He and Peggy Rendleman were married March 4, 1951, in Piggott, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Norton; a son, Thomas Norton III; and his parents.

Norton lived, graduated and met his love in Grand Tower, Illinois. They moved to Wolf Lake, Illinois, into a house he built himself. They later moved to East Cape Girardeau, Illinois, and then on to Gordonville, Jackson and, finally, to Cape Girardeau.

They loved to travel with family and friends and had a place in Florida, where they loved to snowbird in the winter. He dedicated his life to taking care of his family and friends.

He served his country as first sergeant in a heavy mortar company in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a riverboat captain and worked on the river his entire career. Norton was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

Many months after Peggy's death, an old high school friend reached out to offer condolences and comfort. Those conversations turned into a rekindled friendship ending up in a marriage of over 12 years that would last until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Aldeane Norton; three daughters, Jana Norton of Paducah, Kentucky, Susan Floyd of Millersville and Becky Foster of Perryville, Missouri; a son, Jason Norton of Webster Groves, Missouri; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters; a brother; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with Bill Littrell and the Rev. Joel Kidwell officiating. Interment will be in Jonesboro (Illinois) Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post 3455 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Anna and Illinois Army National Guard Honor Team of Marion.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the building fund of Zion United Methodist Church of Gordonville, your local VFW or the American Diabetes Association.

To view the obituary and leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.