Graveside services for Herbert (Ray) Norton, 90, of Reliance, SD will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday September 27, 2025, at the Reliance Cemetery at Reliance, SD.

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Herbert Raymond (Ray) Norton passed away September 9, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain, SD at the age of 90 years old.

Herbert (Ray) Norton was born October 14, 1934, in Reliance, SD to Herbert and Hazel (Shoemaker) Norton. He attended school in Lyman County and later joined and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corp.

He met the love of his life Joleen Recoy at Bower's Bakery. On March 26th, 1961, Ray and Joleen were united in marriage. Their marriage led to three sons and a daughter. They moved many times to both lowa and South Dakota before settling back into South Dakota in 1985.

Ray really enjoyed trucking, fishing, hunting, and making fishing lures. He drove truck for 70 plus years hauling anything from grains, flatbeds, and heavy equipment. He worked alongside his wife running The Bait Shop for numerous years; worked for Gale Raymond for 25 years at RP&H. He enjoyed serving at the American Legion Hall by cooking breakfast and assisting with many events. Family often referred to him as the Energizer Bunny because he just kept going and going.

Grateful for sharing his life are his three sons Kevin (Kelli) Norton of Hartford, SD; Forrest (Robbin) Norton of Oacoma, SD; Aaron Dale (Samantha) Norton of Reliance, SD; his grandchildren Krystal, Jessi, Kari, Ashley, LaRea, Marie, Kera, Robert, Eric and John; numerous great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Joleen Norton; daughter Polly Ann Norton; parents Herbert and Hazel Norton; brothers Forrest, Gene, and Jack Norton; sisters Shirley Bear, and Betty Kindopp; granddaughter Misty Audeen Norton; grandparents, Clyde and Ethel Norton, and Clyde and Olive Shoemaker.