Norman Duane Beal

Norman D. Beal passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at his home in
Mount Morris, Michigan. Norman was born on June 12, 1931, one of five children to Pearl and Minnie
Beal of East Jordan, Michigan.

Norm grew up in East Jordan and lived there until he joined the Army in 1952. Norm said being in the
army and going to a foreign country was quite an education. He made some friends there and a few of
his army buddies even traveled to Northern Michigan to see him. One of those friends told Norm: “this
is a beautiful place”. Norm shared those feelings and went on to say he saw some of the most beautiful
sunsets there.

Norm loved motorcycles and cars. He bought a Harley Davidson in 1951 and had it until well after his
return home from Korea. He said he still loved that motorcycle even though he had broken his leg after
laying the bike down in 1954, and spending most of the summer in a full leg cast.

His next love was a 1959 light blue Chevrolet Impala, that had a white top and white walled tires. He
said it was a real beauty. Although he obviously went on to own other cars including a Model A that he
enjoyed restoring with his brother Leland, he stated that light blue impala was probably his favorite.
Norman was a truck driver in the Flint area for 32 years hauling air freight. He said he enjoyed his work
and he was proud of the multiple awards he received as a safe driver during his career.

Norm married Frances VanDeventer on August 13, 1977. They were married for almost 40 years until
she passed away in 2017. That was a huge loss for Norman who often said “she was a special lady and
he was lost without her.”

Norman was also preceded in death by his parents, his brothers; Leland, Asa, Leroy, his sister Eleanor, an
infant sister Lillian Faye, his stepdaughter and husband Sandy and Paul Tober.

Norman is survived by his step children; Ted (Lynne) VanDeventer of East Lansing, MI, Debi (Jim) Roush
of New Boston, MI and Mark (Julia) VanDeventer of San Marcos, California. He is also survived by
numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023 at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes with pastor Gary Bekkering officiating.  Burial will follow in Dunsmore Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Norman’s name to Medical Team Hospice, 5406 Gateway Center Drive Suite F, Flint, Michigan 48507.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.