Norman R. Earles was born in Switz City, IN on Sept 27, 1927. His parents, Evern and Pansey (Tolbert), brought him home in a shoe box. Norman had been born premature, and at 3 pounds, was not expected to survive. With time and care, Norman grew and thrived.
Norman wasn’t an only child for long. Evern and Pansey welcomed five more boys into their family – Bob, Bill, Jim, Jerry, and Clyde. In a house full of 6 boys there was no shortage of noise or fighting!
Norman and his family moved to Highland Park, MI, known as the “city of trees”. Raising six boys during the Great Depression made life challenging and money was tight for the family. As a child, Norman played kick the can in the alleys of Highland Park. He was there when his younger brother Clyde passed away as a child.
Norman graduated from high school at the age of 16 and started college at Wayne State University. He chose to study accounting but soon discovered he didn’t care for school. Norman left school and began to work as a plumber out of economic necessity. He was a union member of Plumbers Local 98. The job enabled him to support his family and begin a lifelong career. Norman retired at age 65 from the John E. Green Company.
Norman proudly served in the Army during WWII. He was in the 82nd Airborne and part of the occupational forces. He was stationed in both France and Germany before coming home to the states.
Norman met Arlyce Buchbinder on a blind date. The two met and began to date. They dated off and on for 7 years before they became engaged. They were married in a small ceremony on Feb 23, 1957.
He was baptized in the Lutheran Church as an adult. Norman and Arlyce regularly attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Farmington, MI. Norman served as the President of this congregation.
The couple moved into 20069 Garfield in Redford, MI. Their first home was a small two bedroom ranch with a red living room on a dirt road. They raised two of their four children, Cynthia and Jacqueline at this home.
When they moved to Farmington in 1967, they welcomed two additional children; Tom and Colin. They lived in Farmington (now Farmington Hills) until Norman retired. After retirement, they sought a more peaceful existence and moved to Stockbridge, MI.
Norman stayed busy but made time to be sure the children were well rounded and knowledgeable. He built a lookout tower in the backyard of their Redford home. He liked to take Cynthia and Jacqueline to Oakland Community College to learn the name of the trees. He would fish with his sons at Stoney Point and Kensington Park. They even raced a 19 foot Lightening at the Pontiac Yacht Club.
The family often traveled to Northern Michigan to get away during the summers. They never made reservations- they just drove up and stayed on the water and inland lakes.
As hard as Norman worked, he also found time to do things he enjoyed. He was passionate about sailing and boating and even raced sailboats. He built a Snipe Sailboat in the basement of his Farmington home. He restored an old wood Thompson several times.
He loved the outdoors and spent time fishing, woodworking and gardening. The kids remember him growing the best tomatoes and butternut squash and planting over 300 trees at their Farmington home. He enjoyed hunting and trained bird dogs to pheasant hunt with him. Through his church, he volunteered at the FISH organization. He was president of the Detroit Banjo Club. One of his favorite hobbies was playing the banjo, and in retirement, was a member of the Jackson Banjo club. He was an avid ham radio operator and took pride in the build of the antenna at his Stockbridge home.
Dinnertime was important to Norman. He insisted that everyone sit down at the table and eat together. After dinner, he would stay at the table and read the paper and have a cigar.
Norman will be remembered saying things like, “I’ve got more time than money”, “I don’t get ulcers, I give them” and “I don’t mind and you don’t matter”. His children remember his attention to detail. If he did something, he always did it right and by the book. He never cut corners.
Norman R. Earles passed away on Jan 31, 2015 at the age of 87. He was the beloved husband of Arlyce for 57 years. He was the dear father of Cynthia (Bill) Blasses, Jacqueline Earles, Tom (Kelli) Earles, and Colin (Monika) Earles. He was the proud grandfather of 10 and great grandfather of 2.
Visitation will be Wed from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at McCabe Funeral Home, 851 N. Canton Center Rd., Canton. Norman’s life will be celebrated on Thu, Feb 5, 2015 at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 3003 Hannan Rd., Wayne. Guests may begin visiting at 10am until time of Service at 11am.