Capt. Thomas Oral Norton Jr.

Thomas Oral Norton, Jr., 89, of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, February 14, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born March 14, 1929, in Neely's Landing, MO, son of Thomas and Grace (Rumfelt) Norton, Sr. He and Peggy Rendleman Norton were married March 4, 1951, in Piggott, Ark. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; a son, Thomas III; and his parents. Norton lived, graduated and met his love in Grand Tower, IL. They moved to Wolf Lake in to a house he built himself. They later moved to East Cape, and then on to Gordonville, Jackson and he finally moved 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 the 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 in to a rekindled friendship that ended up in a marriage of over 12 years that would last until his death. Survivors include his wife Aldeane; three daughters, Jana Norton of Paducah, Ky., Susan Floyd of Millersville, Becky Foster of Perryville and a son, Jason Norton of Webster Groves, Mo.; several grandchildren, great grandchildren; sisters, a brother, many nieces and nephews and many friends. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 17, 2019 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Bill Littrell and Rev. Joel Kidwell officiating. Interment will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard Honor Team of Marion. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. and until the service hour at 2:00 on Sunday, February 17, 2019 in the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Building Fund of the Zion United Methodist Church of Gordonville, your local VFW, or the American Diabetes Association. Visitation Service Sunday, February 17, 2019,1:00PM-2:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Sunday, February 17, 2019,2:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Cemetery Service Sunday, February 17, 2019,3:00PM Jonesboro Cemetery Karraker Street Jonesboro, Illinois 62952