James Washington Norton

KEWANEE – James Washington Norton, 81, of Kewanee, died at 3:18 a.m., Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the Kewanee Care Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 20 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with visitation being held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in rural Kewanee. Memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established.

He was born March 21, 1937 in Harrisburg, IL, the son of William H. and Alberta (Neeley) Norton. He married Charlene Bennet and to this union were Donny Jo, James Jr. and Kevin Norton. Later he married Hazel Burns whom preceded him in death. He is presently married to and survived by his loving wife of 5 years, Vera Rohleder-Norton.

James was a man who loved the Lord. He converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for over 45 years. He was the first African-American to receive the Priesthood with the LDS of Nauvoo, IL.

Remembering and cherishing his time with us is his family: wife, Vera Norton and step-daughter, Anita Palmer, both of Kewanee, two sons, James W. (Tammy) Norton Jr. of Hiram, GA and Kevin Norton of Peoria, a brother, William (Mildred) Norton of Stockbridge, GA, four sisters; Beverly McFadden-South, Shirley Norton-Randle and Reba Norton, all of Peoria and Roslyn Norton-Anderson of Lawrenceville, GA, a sister-in-law, Rev. Karen Norton of Racine, WI and a host of nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Donny Jo Norton, a sister, Patricia Norton-Clark and two brothers, Rev. Breon Norton and Herman Norton.

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