G. Bruce Norris

G. BRUCE NORRIS - RUSHSYLVANIA

Gerald "Bruce" Norris, 88, of Rushsylvania passed away peacefully at his home on July 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness. He was born April 13, 1938, to Gerald "Jerry" Norris and Ida "Lee" (Reynolds) Norris in Bellefontaine, Ohio. On January 13, 1963, he married the love of his life, E. Louise (Rich) Norris in the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church and they enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will never be forgotten.

Surviving are his devoted wife Louise, and his sons, Todd D. of Bellefontaine, and Steve M. of Columbus, a daughter-in-law Helen L. of Rushsylvania, and grandchildren Jamie (Amanda), Gary (Sarah), Aaron, Steven (Cathy Beltran), Katelyn and a step-granddaughter, Sarah Bogardus along with great grandchildren Addilynn, Greyson, Griffin, Garrison, Sophia, Jasmine and a step-great grandson, Fisher Wildenhaus who all lovingly called him Mr. Grandfather, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Gregg A. Norris, a granddaughter Emily Louise Norris, his sister and brother-in-law Suzan and Ralph Schrader, a sister-in law and brother-in-law Etta and Everett Pitts Sr., and brothers-in-law Walter Rich and James "Jim" Rich.

Bruce graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1957 and attended Bowling Green State University. He had several careers during his lifetime including radio broadcasting at former local radio stations WOHP and WOGM and now WPKO and WBLL. He worked at DAB in Bellefontaine, Urbana Tool & Die, was manager of the printing department at Siemens in Bellefontaine from where he retired and later ran the print shop at Super Foods. He also owned and operated The Advertiser, a local weekly newspaper, taught adult education classes at Ohio Hi-Point JVS, and along with his father, owned and operated The Print Shop in West Liberty. Later he became a quality engineer for WEK Industries at the Honda Manufacturing Plants in Ohio and several other states.

He was a life member of the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church where he previously taught Sunday school and served on various church committees, served as financial secretary for 25 years, and was a member of Methodist Men. He loved volunteering and giving back to his community and in 2017 was awarded the Logan County Area Agency on Aging as Senior Citizen of the Year in Logan County along with his wife Louise. He was active in several organizations including Mended Hearts where he was currently serving as president of the local chapter, and served many years as a regional director for Mended Hearts in several states, and served on the international board of directors; the Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club where he served as president and Lt. Governor, and along with his wife Louise was awarded the Albert and Iris Gilbert Humanitarian Award by the Ohio District Kiwanis in 2024 for their many years of volunteer service in the community; the Rushsylvania Lions Club where he served as treasurer for 26 years, and was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for Humanitarianism by Lions International in 2025 for his many years of service and dedication to Lions; and The Logan County History Center where he was a docent, assistant treasurer, served on the board of directors, and along with his wife Louise, was inducted into the Logan County History Center Hall of Fame in 2025 for 35 years of service. He also served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 6 years and was a member of American Legion Harold Kerr Post #173. Bruce was always willing to do anything to help others. He had a great sense of humor, always reciting funny limericks, and making witty comments that made all his family and friends laugh. He was well-known for being a thrifty shopper, and a lover of music, especially jazz and classical.

Bruce will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he made on his life journey.

Pastor Joe Ziraldo will officiate a memorial service at the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine on July 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A private burial will be in Huntsville Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main St. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, or the Logan County History Center, 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, OH 43311.

EICHHOLTZ & DARING FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE is honored to serve the Norris family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at eichholtzdaring.com

Family Authored Obituary

KVH