This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: NOOR, ERICKSON, MOSER, BARNES, OLDS, WILLIAMS, SHELTON, ROGERS, CREECH, LARSON, SCHROEDER Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/RFB.2ACE/1823 Message Board Post: NORR, Harvey A. Norr Of Battle Creek Owner & Founder of Norr Optical, Harvey A. "PawPaw" Norr, age 83, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and friends on Wednesday, January 26, 2005. He was born October 5, 1921 in Pierz, Minnesota, the son of Robert E. and Florence (Erickson) Norr, one of ten children. He left the dairy farm and attended and graduated from Evanston High School in Evanston, Illinois. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942, and was assigned to the 30th infantry division, which landed on Omaha Beach during the Invasion of Europe. He was wounded on the 7th day of battle and spent 2 months in the hospital. He rejoined his unit in northern France and fought on through Belgium, Holland and into Germany. He was wounded 2 more times, the last one severe enough to end his military career on November 19, 1944 with the rank of Staff Sgt. He returned to the United States and was admitted to the Percy Jones Military Hospital in Battle Creek and he was discharged in 1945. He was! awarded the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart with 2 Clusters, European African Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Campaign Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, a Presidential Unit Emblem, American Campaign Medal and the Belgian Fourragere. He graduated from Ferris State College in 1953 with a degree in Optical Technology. He specialized in low-visual aids. He was the owner & founder of Norr Optical in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, which he opened in 1965. He married June A. Moser in 1945; she preceded him in death in 1968. He married Elizabeth "Jo" Barnes in 1970; she survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Sheila (Richard) Olds of Roswell, Georgia; a son, Robert (Barbara) Norr of Mattawan; Elizabeth's children, Robert (Janie) Barnes of Florida, LuAnn (Lee) Williams of Portage, and Melinda (Marvin) Shelton of Anna, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, Jonathon (Kristine) Barnes and Justin Barnes, both of Battle Creek, Wendy Olds, Traci (Bryan) Rogers, Mi! chael Norr, Michelle (James) Creech , Erik Shelton, Brian Barnes, Stev en Barnes, Andrew Barnes, Kyle Shelton, Justin Norr; and 5 great-grandchildren. Harvey is also survived by 2 sisters, Dorothy Larson and Agnes (Leo) Schroeder; 4 brothers, Ted (Kay) Norr, Richard Norr of Battle Creek, Alvie (Lois) Norr and the Rev Donald (Jan) Norr; a sister-in-law, Harriet Norr; and many nieces, nephew and cherished friends. He also was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Ginger in 1952; 2 sisters, Harriet Norr and Margaret Larson; a brother, George Norr; 2 brothers-in-law, Harry Larson and Thure Larson; and 2 sisters-in-law, Kay Norr and Kathy Norr. He was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees, a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter # 110, Battle Creek Lodge #12 F&AM, Scottish Rite, Saladin Shrine Temple in Grand Rapids, the Battle Creek & Kalamazoo Shrine Clubs, D.A.V. #7, former treasurer of the Navy League and VFW Post #565. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1/28/2005 - 1/30/2005. (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)