Robert K. Vannorstrand

ROBERT KEITH VAN NORSTRAND age 85 of Richmond formerly of Armada died Monday, July 9, 2012 in his daughter's home after an extended illness. He was born July 22, 1927, the second of three sons of the late William and Evelyn (Spencer) VanNorstrand. He married Sara B. Lathrop on September 1, 1945. She passed away on April 7, 1987. He remarried on July 24, 1992 and is survived by his second wife, Deloris M. (Pietrykowski Sprader) VanNorstrand, his brother; Richard (Evelyn) VanNorstrand of Fort Pierce, Florida, daughters; Roberta L. (Dennis) Balaze, Sydney L. (Peter) Brauer, Kyle L. (James) Allie and Erin L. (William) Rose, grandsons; Jeremiah and Alexander Brauer, granddaughters; Kris Johnson, Lori (Scott) Barker, Sarah and Rachel Allie and Alexandra Rose and great-grandchildren; Reilly Gordon and Hank and Gracie Barker and many nephews and nieces. In addition to his wife, Sara, he was preceded in death by his son, Steven Keith on November 14, 1954 and brother, William "Bill". Bob graduated with honors from Armada High School where he was active in sports, being known by classmates as "the pit" for his abilities in basketball. He joined the navy on June 6, 1945 and served in the Pacific on the USS Gilbert Island and the USS Anzio. He was honorably discharged on 8-9-1946 and received the American Area Campaign medal, The Victory medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign medal. While attending college Bob owned and operated a television sales and repair business in Armada. Upon completion of college he became a licensed mortician, owning and operating VanNorstrand's Funeral Home in Armada, MI. He traveled the state at the behest of various county coroners who required his services and he served the village of Armada as village clerk. Robert took a position with Macomb County Youth Home, transferring to become a counselor for Macomb County Veteran's Affairs where he spent the last few years prior to retirement as Director of that office. He was an active member and past commander of the Armada Amvet Post 93, a member of the VFW Post 6082 of Richmond, VFW Post 1794 of Mt. Clemens and a Mason along with other service organizations over the years. His cremains will be buried in the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 1:00 to 5:00pm in the Armada AmVets Hall, 78185 North Avenue, Armada, MI. 48005