Listed in The Times Herald, Michigan, Thursday, March 17, 1949, Page 10:
Charles R VanNorman Dies at 82, Writes Own Obituary
A much-creased paper on which he had written his own obituary in pencil today – served that very purpose for Charles R VanNorman, 82, former Port Huron resident, who died in his home in Detroit Tuesday after a long illness.
He had told his son-in-law, Frank C Davies, Detroit, about it, asking him to promise to use it after his death.
The OBITUARY, just as he wrote it, follows:
"Born in Port Huron, August 28, 1866.
Started to school in the old Washington School. In early days, was a newsboy carrying the Port Huron Daily Times and Sunday Commercial.
On Saturday, he tied staves at the old Stave Mill at the north end of Seventh Street Bridge.
After finishing school, he learned the decorating trade, and after several years later, started in business for himself and later was head of the firm of VanNorman Brothers. (His brother, Will VanNorman, died several years ago) He was a member of old Company L, Michigan National Guard, and served as aide-de-camp to the Colonel.
Mr VanNorman was a member of the Port Huron Fire Department for a time, and was stationed at No. 1 hose house with Richard "Dick" Wolf, Chief.
In 1890, he married Miss Maude Bromlee, daughter of Captain and Mrs William Bromlee, of Port Huron.
They moved to Detroit in 1913, and at the opening of World War I, he entered the service on Liberty Motors with the Army and Navy Aircraft Industrial Service. Following the war, he entered the Ford Motor Company, and remained until 1932 (Mrs VanNorman died in 1933).
He requested members of the Fire Department and Military Company to act as pallbearers.
The following sentiment is one Mr VanNorman treasured:
'I heard a bugle playing the call to rest. That haunting melody came loud and clear. Having heard it once, it will never be forgotten.
To the soldier that call means that night has come.
All the work, the pleasure and the suffering of the day – are over.
It is time to rest. Taps sound for older people too, meaning that life is over and rest awaits, eternal rest.
Others weary and worn find the call welcome. It brings peace.
So through the years, the call sings out at the coming of night.
To those left behind, a renewal of strength for another day.
To the old, rest from labor and strife, night has come.
Taps have sounded, the notes of the bugle are stilled.
Darkness, but another day will dawn.'"
AND HIS REQUEST that members of the Fire Department and the "Military Company" act as pallbearers will be granted.
Members of the Fire Department from Fire House No 1 and of the present Co L will meet the funeral cortege Saturday morning at Lakeside Cemetery, after funeral services in Detroit Friday night.
Here the bugle will sound taps for him for the last time, even as he wrote it would.
He is survived by three daughters, Miss Margaret M VanNorman, with whom he lived, and Mrs Frank C Davies, both of Detroit, and Mrs Archie Kemp, Royal Oak; a granddaughter and two great-grand-children.
After moving to Detroit, the family spent many summers here at Edison Beach, where Mr VanNorman made many model stage coaches, covered wagons, light-houses and the like in his spare time.
∼82 Years old at time of death
Listed in The Times Herald, Michigan, Thursday, March 17, 1949, Page 10:
Charles R VanNorman Dies at 82, Writes Own Obituary
A much-creased paper on which he had written his own obituary in pencil today – served that very purpose for Charles R VanNorman, 82, former Port Huron resident, who died in his home in Detroit Tuesday after a long illness.
He had told his son-in-law, Frank C Davies, Detroit, about it, asking him to promise to use it after his death.
The OBITUARY, just as he wrote it, follows:
"Born in Port Huron, August 28, 1866.
Started to school in the old Washington School. In early days, was a newsboy carrying the Port Huron Daily Times and Sunday Commercial.
On Saturday, he tied staves at the old Stave Mill at the north end of Seventh Street Bridge.
After finishing school, he learned the decorating trade, and after several years later, started in business for himself and later was head of the firm of VanNorman Brothers. (His brother, Will VanNorman, died several years ago) He was a member of old Company L, Michigan National Guard, and served as aide-de-camp to the Colonel.
Mr VanNorman was a member of the Port Huron Fire Department for a time, and was stationed at No. 1 hose house with Richard "Dick" Wolf, Chief.
In 1890, he married Miss Maude Bromlee, daughter of Captain and Mrs William Bromlee, of Port Huron.
They moved to Detroit in 1913, and at the opening of World War I, he entered the service on Liberty Motors with the Army and Navy Aircraft Industrial Service. Following the war, he entered the Ford Motor Company, and remained until 1932 (Mrs VanNorman died in 1933).
He requested members of the Fire Department and Military Company to act as pallbearers.
The following sentiment is one Mr VanNorman treasured:
'I heard a bugle playing the call to rest. That haunting melody came loud and clear. Having heard it once, it will never be forgotten.
To the soldier that call means that night has come.
All the work, the pleasure and the suffering of the day – are over.
It is time to rest. Taps sound for older people too, meaning that life is over and rest awaits, eternal rest.
Others weary and worn find the call welcome. It brings peace.
So through the years, the call sings out at the coming of night.
To those left behind, a renewal of strength for another day.
To the old, rest from labor and strife, night has come.
Taps have sounded, the notes of the bugle are stilled.
Darkness, but another day will dawn.'"
AND HIS REQUEST that members of the Fire Department and the "Military Company" act as pallbearers will be granted.
Members of the Fire Department from Fire House No 1 and of the present Co L will meet the funeral cortege Saturday morning at Lakeside Cemetery, after funeral services in Detroit Friday night.
Here the bugle will sound taps for him for the last time, even as he wrote it would.
He is survived by three daughters, Miss Margaret M VanNorman, with whom he lived, and Mrs Frank C Davies, both of Detroit, and Mrs Archie Kemp, Royal Oak; a granddaughter and two great-grand-children.
After moving to Detroit, the family spent many summers here at Edison Beach, where Mr VanNorman made many model stage coaches, covered wagons, light-houses and the like in his spare time.
∼82 Years old at time of death
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