Norman S. VanAlstine
Norm was born August 10, 1944 and raised in DeTour Village, MI. He passed away on January 14, 2021. After graduating from DeTour High School, he received a full-ride scholarship to play football at Northern Michigan University.
After NMU, Norm served in the Navy for 4 years during the Vietnam era. After serving his country, he went back to school at Central Michigan University. He then moved to Lansing to work, where he met his wife, Carol, of 49 years.
He was a hard working family man. He worked construction, and at Melling Forge for 27 years, then at Sears for 5 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and liked to hunt and fish and go golfing. He also raced cars in his younger days.
Norm will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Jennifer Worley (Paul Colligan) and Norman (Tracy); grandchildren, Samantha (Matt) VanAuken, Tina (Sean) Kaspar, Nolan Colligan, and Leland VanAlstine; great-grandchildren, Landon VanAuken, Gavin Kaspar, and Oliver Kaspar; sister, Shirley VanAlstine; and brothers, Gerald, Gary, and Tim.
The funeral service will be held at 12:00 on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment will follow in Maple Ridge Cemetery, Holt. His family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the service time. Memorial contributions may be made to Ele’s Place, Lansing.
20 Messages to “Norman S. VanAlstine”
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Angie Thompson
January 14, 2021 at 6:39 pmCondolences to all the family. I don’t remember too much about Norm, but I can remember him laughing.
Donna Nelson
January 14, 2021 at 8:56 pmDear Sonny,
RIP.
Sonny was my football hero! In Middle school, I compiled a “scrapbook” of his high school football accomplishments that were featured in the Sault Evening News. There were practically weekly pictures and articles featuring Sonny.
Again, RIP dear cousin.
Donna Nelson
Joan Bailey
January 14, 2021 at 10:35 pmCarol and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Joan Bailey
Dwight McCulloch
January 14, 2021 at 11:24 pmNorm was a great guy, natural athlete. We were in the class of 62. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tim Malatinsky
January 15, 2021 at 7:21 amVery sorry to hear about Norm’s passing. Thoughts and prayers go out for his family. I worked with Norm at Melling Drop Forge.
Tammy and Jeff
January 15, 2021 at 7:45 amNorm and Tracy. We are both so sorry for your loss. We only met your dad a couple of times. He was a very nice guy and was always a happy guy. Nothing but huge smiles on his face. We hope you both can find comfort in remembering and sharing all the wonderful memories that you have of your dad. He will live in your hearts forever. Sending lots of hugs and prayers to you both and your whole family. We love you guys. Uncle Jeff and Auntie Em
Mike McCorkle
January 15, 2021 at 8:11 amI am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Norm, played golf with him, and he was my friend. We had some good times.
David Miller
January 15, 2021 at 8:48 amTo Norm’s family,
So sorry for your loss. Norm was a great guy and a great friend. “Sonny” as his family called him was a great athlete, probably the best football player to come out of DeTour High School. We played together on DeTour’s District championship in basketball in 1960 when I was a senior and he was a sophomore. We also enjoyed golfing together in our younger days.
RIP “Big Barney” you will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Dave Miller
DeTour Village
Marsha Ballard
January 15, 2021 at 9:08 amNorm and family, sorry for the loss of your Dad and loved one. May you find comfort in your memories and may God Bless his soul.
Billie Collins and family
January 15, 2021 at 11:03 amSo sorry for your loss. I know you will take comfort in knowing Norm is not hurting anymore.
Pamela Colligan Loch
January 15, 2021 at 11:23 amOur Condolences and prayers for your family. We have only had the pleasure of meeting Norm on a few occasions but knowing Jennifer speaks volumes to his loving nature and his legacy carries through.
Peace & Love from Pam and Dan
Melissa (Schopp) Bennett and family
January 15, 2021 at 11:30 amI’m so very sorry for your loss. Our families have been intertwined since the beginning. Thinking of you all. Sending peace and comfort to Carol and to you all.
Marge Fuller
January 15, 2021 at 12:38 pmDear Carol and family –
I was so sorry to hear of Norm’s death. Please know that I’m thinking of and praying for you at this difficult time. May you find peace and solace.
Greg McGuire, DeTour Village, Michigan
January 15, 2021 at 1:23 pmSo sorry to hear of Norm’s passing, he was a great friend,had a lot of good times with him,a gentle giant for sure, didn’t see him often enough,rip big Barney
Darlene Bailey
January 15, 2021 at 10:53 pmCarol & family
Thinking of your family and keeping you all in prayer. RIP Sonny.
Jack Oakley
January 16, 2021 at 11:13 amSorry to hear of BIG NORMS passing 🙁 Worked with Norm at Melling , Played slow Pitch softball With him , And Played a lot of golf with him back in the day,And LOVED his Eldaberry wine.
🙂
Don & Maggie Knieper
January 17, 2021 at 1:37 pmCarol So sorry to hear about Norm’s passing. You are in our prayers.
Cheryl Bernard
January 18, 2021 at 12:48 pmDear Carol, Jennifer, Norm, & Family~
So very sorry for your loss of Sonny. He sure was an outstanding guy & we will all miss him!
His smile was the best! It just brightened your day to see him, with that easy manner of speaking, topping it off with that smile!
Our sincere condolences to his family & friends.
Rest in peace, Sonny.
Sending hugs.
Dennis & Cheryl
Robert Gantz
January 25, 2021 at 7:19 pmNorm was a great guy and could he swing a sledgehammer worked with Norm at Melling he helped my mom and dad build a house and he use to come to the house every year deer hunting RIP Big Norm
Mark Titus
January 25, 2021 at 8:39 pmThoughts and prayers for Norms family.
I worked at Melling Forge with Norm. I played softball with Norm. I played golf with Norm. He was always the man. I remember watching Norm as a catcher one night. Late in the game a guy thought he could score the winning run. This guy turned third base running full throttle. Norm was waiting. The guy collided shoulder to shoulder with big Norm. The runner actually bounced back 3 feet and fell to the dirt. Norm just smiled.