Edna Mae Norton

Edna Mae “Polly” Norton, 95, of LeRoy, passed away at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

She was born November 28, 1916 in Clover Bottom, KY, daughter of Raymond V. and Mabel G. Yeagle Guyn. She married Marshall V. Norton on January 20, 1939, he preceded her in death on February 3, 1995. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Wendell (Effie) and Dwayne (Cindy) Norton and one brother.

Surviving are one son, James M. (Anita) Norton in LeRoy; five grandchildren, Jamie Hawkins, James J. Norton, Jennifer Walkowiak, Jessica Turner and Kelly Norton; four step-grandchildren, Ken and Kevin Matens and Melissa and Jacob Mason and 13 great-grandchildren.

Polly farmed (grain and livestock) with her husband, on nearly 450 acres for almost 20 years in the 1940’s to 1960’s. She loved animals, both domestic and wild and performed many veterinarian functions. Polly particularly loved horses. She bred, raised, trained and doctored their illnesses, cuts and bruises. Her love for animals was known in the area and many stray and unwanted animals were abandoned near her farm because it was known she would raise them and find them a good home. She even had a monkey who resided at her farm and became the talk of the local area.

She was instrumental in the establishment and authorization of horse trails and camp grounds for horse trail riders and their animals at Moraine View State Park, where she worked closely with the Department of Conservation and a member of the State Legislator. She also attended the annual 100 mile trail rides in Eminence, MO for over 25 years. Polly was a member of the McLean County Trail Riding Club of Bloomington in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Polly was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was also a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in LeRoy.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington, where visitation will be two hours prior to services. Entombment will be 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2012 at East Lawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the LeRoy Ambulance Fund or the First United Presbyterian Church in LeRoy. Online condolences may be submitted to www.EastLawn-Bloomington.com.