Obituary of Althea Norton

Althea Betty Norton, age 85, of Monroe went home to be with the Lord at 4:53pm on Friday, November 30, 2012 at Magnum of Monroe Health and Rehab Center. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her first husband: William Paul Norton; second husband: Horace Durham; one son-in-law: Earnest Cotton; two children: Susan Norton and Johnny Norton; and two brothers: Lannie Cairl and James F. Cairl. Althea Betty Norton was born in Dundee, Michigan on July 24, 1927. She was the daughter of James O. Cairl and the late Ella (Meeker) Cairl. Althea graduated in from Dundee High School in 1947 and earned her Practical Nursing License through the State of Michigan. Althea married the love of her life, Horace Durham and was known to be very loving toward her family, especially her grandchildren. She often acted as caretaker for the elderly in their homes when families had to work. She enjoyed bowling and playing Bingo with her friends, knitting and crocheting. Her passion for cooking allowed her to spend quality time with her mother as they were employed at Fonro Lodge in Mio Michigan on weekends and locally at the Monroe Country Club, Park Hotel and the Bowl-O-Drome in Monroe. Althea was also a member of the Bedford Senior Citizens. To cherish her memory, she leaves behind three children: Helen Cotton of Luna Pier, William (Patricia) Norton of Monroe, Ronald Cairl Norton of Cadillac, and Harold (Diane) Durham Jr. of Indiana; one sister: Norene (John) Schafer; twelve grandchildren: Crystal Cotton, James Norton, Derrick and Joshua Wiseman, Ronald Jr, Lindsey, Zachary and Benjamin Norton, Bubba Durham, Jacob Durham, James Bugaski, and Dylan Bugaski; and eleven great grandchildren. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Monday, December 3, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will be held on Tuesday, December 4, at 11:00am also at Merkle's with Reverend Rick Massingill pastor of North Monroe Street Church of God officiating. Procession will follow to Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania for burial. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, make a donation, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.