Norris S. Arent, 96, of Coloma, passed away on Feb. 16, 2021 at Whitcomb Towers in St. Joseph.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Watervliet Free Methodist Church, with a private graveside service at Kniebes Cemetery. Memorial donations in Norris’s memory may be made to Watervliet Free Methodist Church. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Norris was born Sept. 18, 1924 in Benton Harbor to Samuel and Dorothy (Powell) Arent. As a little boy, he was loved and lived a full life on the orchard. As a youngster, he developed interests in extracurricular activities and became a Cubs fan. As a young man, he experienced so much loss, yet he sacrificed for his family. Norris began fruit farming from the time he was 14 when his dad passed away and be became head of the household. He married the love of his life Margaret on Nov. 11, 1956 and as a husband and father, he was dedicated to making sure his family developed their interests and felt secure with family and friends. Norris had a passion for music and playing the piano and other various instruments. He enjoyed sports, playing church softball, basketball and becoming a great bowler. His spirit and insistence on being independent was admirable, along with his sharp memory and the emotion he couldn’t hold back when he talked about his life.
Survivors include a daughter Beverly Mathos of Grand Rapids, two sons Donald (Elaine) Arent of Taylor, MI, and William (Sara) Arent of Zeeland, MI and a sister Noreen Sonnenberg. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Stephan (Sarah) Mathos, Elyse (Brad Larabell) Mathos, Gretchen Mathos, Samuel (Brittany) Arent, Kaitlyn (Bryan) McBride, Nicholas Arent, Andrew, Emma, and Annalise Arent and four great-grandchildren Lorelei and Rosalie McBride, Sofia Maher and Yazan Arent.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Margaret in 2017 and his siblings Noble, Norman, Tilferd, Carl, Wesley and Marilyn.