Norman E. Priest's Obituary
Norman Eugene Priest, age 90, passed away in Spring Lake, MI, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Norm was born in Kalkaska, MI, on January 25, 1935, to Albert and Dorothy (Kern) Priest. He attended Muskegon High School and then went on to faithfully serve as an aircraft mechanic and flying crew chief in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1953 he married the former Mary J. Norris, and the two of them spent 65 wonderful years together until she preceded him in death in 2018. He was a dedicated employee for Brunswick Corporation for 39 years, retiring in 1997. In his younger years Norm enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, and table games, and he had a lifelong appreciation for antique cars. He was a quiet man, but a man of honorable character and integrity. His faith was very important to him, and for many years he served as a bible teacher at Oak Crest Church of God. He was very patriotic and was always willing to lend a hand to those who needed it. He married Janet Burrous in 2019, and the two of them greatly enjoyed the time that they had together.
Norm will be lovingly remembered by his second wife, Janet Burrous-Priest; three children: Gail (Jerry) Rose; Mark (Rosemary) Priest, and Norma Ellis; three grandchildren: Charity (Ray) Kostopoulas, Cassandra (Joe) Kessler, and Aaron Ellis; three great-grandchildren; and Janet’s children and grandchildren, all of whom greatly loved Norm.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held for Norm at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI, 49444, with VISITATION taking place an hour prior. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the team from Hospice of North Ottawa for their excellent care over the years. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com.
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