Robert “Rob” Leon Norton, age 55, of Sturgis, MI and formerly of LaPorte, IN passed away Saturday evening at the Sturgis Hospital. 
He was born March 14, 1966 in LaPorte, IN a son to James Norton and Jean (Smith) Cannan.
Rob was a 1984 graduate of LaPorte High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing from Indiana University in 1989. 
While living in LaPorte Rob was a very successful master painter and owned and operated Norton Painting. His failing health forced him to close this business and in 1997 he moved to Sturgis, MI where he operated R & D Estate Jewelry & Coins. Rob was a very passionate, kind, caring individual who never met a stranger, respected his elders, and loved life. He also was a bit of jokester and enjoyed playing a prank or two on his family and friends who he truly loved to be around and spend time with. He enjoyed traveling, having fun, and was a jack of all trades. If he didn’t know how something worked or needed fixed he would research it until he figured it out.
Surviving are his partner of 26 years: Dana Mayer of Sturgis, MI; 1 sister: Debra (Gale) Clough; 2 brothers: Randy (Cathy Miller) Norton and Danny “Tiny” (Judy) Norton all of LaPorte, IN; 2 aunts: Pat Porter of LaPorte, IN and Ruth (Fred) Nichols of Lenore City, TN; 3 nephews: Mike (Bridget) Clough, Danny (Ruthie) Carpenter, and James (Lacie) Carpenter; 2 nieces: Trisha (Jeremy) Collings and Bonnie Clough; Several cousins including a close cousin: Jeff Barnard; several great nieces, nephews, and step siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew: Randall Tefteller.