Glen Dean Norton

Glen Dean Norton, 90, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at a Topeka hospital. He was born February 19, 1920 in Carbondale, the son of Gilbert and Mary Thomas Norton. He graduated from Carbondale High School in 1938. Upon graduation, he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in the general office.

During WWII, he was a member of the 82nd Airborne, landing in a glider in Belgium during the counter offensive of the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of one of the first Army units to cross the Rhine River into Germany. After the war, Glen worked for the International Harvester Company. In 1955, he became a partner in a hardware store in Overbrook. In 1963, he started Northbrook Lumber and Supply in Overbrook which he owned until his retirement in 1987. After retiring, he wrote and published a book about his extended family, Carbondale, and the surrounding communities. At the time of his death, he was doing research for a book on the cattle drives to Kansas in the 1880's.

Glen married Claudine Miller in 1946. She preceded him in death in 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Frances Denton. He is survived by three nephews; Richard (Janet) Land of Topeka, Michael ( Sharon) Land of Topeka, Lee Denton of Independence and a niece, Denise (Wayne) Kaff of Overbrook, seven great nieces and nephews and seven great-great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Overbrook First United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Private inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Overbrook Public Library, P.O. Box 389, Overbrook, Kansas 66524 or the Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village, 7220 S.W. Asbury Dr., Topeka, Kansas 66614. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of Topeka arrangements. Greenwood-Roberts Funeral Home is in charge of Overbrook arrangements.