Michael W. Norris

Michael W. Norris 74 of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at Fairfield Medical Center.  He was born to the late Richard and Gloria Norris in Lancaster, Ohio in 1947.  He grew up as a member of Calvary Orthodox Lutheran Church.

Mike, after 28 years of distinguished service, Major Mike Norris retired as a Fairfield County Deputy Sheriff on February 1, 1996.  He began his law enforcement career in April of 1968 when he was hired by Sheriff Jack Blazer.  Mike was a 1965 graduate of Lancaster High School and graduated from Lancaster Police Academy in 1968.  He received an Associate’s Degree in Police Science from Hocking College in 1978.

Mike served as Chief Deputy for Sheriff Dan Berry until 1980.  He then worked for Sheriff Jim Peck where he held the rank of Major and Patrol Division Commander.  Mike retired after serving as Sheriff DeMastry’s Jail Administrator.

He was a Knights of Columbus 1973 Blue Coat Award winner, and earned several awards including a Life Saving Award. He earned a gold medal in the International Police Olympics in weightlifting.  Mike was elected to the Police officers Hall of Fame in Florida, in 1980, for wounds received in the line of duty during a shooting earlier that year. He loved Fairfield County and his job with them.

Mike was a member of F.O.P., Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association and NRA.

He and Joyce Conrad were married in 1966 by Rev. Weimer.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce; twins  Michael (Sondra) Norris, Jr. and  Molly (John) Snoke; and son, Marty (Lana Banker) Norris; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Norris, Shawn M. Norris, Clayton and Samuel Croft, Alex M. (Olaya) Norris, Sierra (Ryan) Wildermuth, and Ashley Norris; three great grandchildren with one more on the way and a lifelong friend, Bob Roush.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Joshua Norris.

He was a very proud father of his children, loved watching his grandchildren grow up and loved the paths they took.   He enjoyed hearing stories of their work and he had a lot of his own stories.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fairfield Medical Center and FairHoPe Hospice for their love and care of Mike during this time.

Caring Cremation® is being handled by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, LANCASTER, OHIO.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Ruff Seed Farm, 3870 Ruff Rd., Amanda, Ohio 43102.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.

Memorial gifts may be given to Tunnel for Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, or FairHoPe Hospice, 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, Ohio 43130.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.