PALERMO – Earl Gerald Van Norman Jr., 55, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. Earl was born Feb. 10, 1956, in Pontiac, Mich., son of Earl Gerald and Mary Jane (Glombowski) Van Norman.
Earl graduated from Capac Community High School, Capac, Mich., in 1974. He served in the U.S. Navy beginning in 1974, did five ship tours and traveled the world. He retired from the Navy in 1997 in Freeport, where he met and married Judith, his wife of more than 14 years. In 2004 he moved with his wife to Palermo, where he took up farming, a lifelong dream. He raised vegetables, livestock and poultry, which he generously shared with family, friends and neighbors. He loved working out of doors cutting wood, tiling the soil, tending his animals. He liked experimenting and finding solutions to problems and was always available to help his neighbors.
Earl is survived by his wife, Judith; a sister, Pamela Ironside and husband, Louis, of Almont, Mich.; a brother, Robert Van Norman and wife, Denise, of Knoxville, Tenn.; two nieces, Melissa Pless and Rachel Kosnow; seven nephews, Jason Ironside, Christopher Ironside, Robert Van Norman, Joey Van Norman, Thomas Van Norman, Johnathon Kosnow and Steven Wiswell; many cousins; his dog, Emma; and his cat, Zoe. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Mary Jane Van Norman.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at Palermo Christian Church, Palermo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl’s memory to Salvation Army, Belfast (Maine) Service Unit, P.O. Box 9200, Lewiston, ME 04243-9200. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield. Online guest book may be signed at
www.lawrybrothers.com.