Julia Norton

Julia Mae Norton (Hartman), of Goshen, died Friday, January 7, 2022, at home, surrounded by her family, after more than a four-year battle with cancer.

She was born on August 30, 1945, in Goshen, Indiana to Arthur P. Hartman and Opal M. (Wagner) Hartman.

She was a 1963 graduate of Goshen High School and on July 20, 1963 married James L. Norton at the Goshen Nazarene Church.

Surviving is her husband of 58 years, James L. Norton, and their two children: Charles P. Norton (Elizabeth Calvo) Norton of Hutchinson, Kansas; Stephen M. Norton (Sharon Brugger) of Goshen, Indiana. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Katja Norton (Alvaro Romo), David Norton, and River Norton of Goshen, Jonathan Norton and Rebeca Norton of Hutchinson, Kansas. Also surviving is her sister, Ila Faye (Dan) Stump, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Scotson Hartman.

Julia graduated from Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Michigan with an Associate degree in Nursing. She worked as a Geriatric Nurse at Riverforest Nursing Home in Three Rivers, Michigan for five years and at Courtyard Healthcare in Goshen for 30 plus years.

Both Julia and her husband James were actively involved at Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Indiana and Walnut Hill Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.

Julia was known and will be remembered for her love of children and love of life. One time when she was working, Julia offered to a young coworker struggling with her out of wedlock pregnancy to help care for the new baby while her mother was working, all the while Julia was working full time. She did this for about a year and a half.

Julia was a woman of strong faith and prayer. Every morning you could find her in her prayer room seeking the face of her savior.

Julia’s sense of humor and her love to laugh will be missed by many. She enjoyed visiting her family in Germany and Mexico when her children were in mission work in other nations. She loved flowers and walking on the beach, but wasn’t fond of being in the water. She was a good cook and was a big fan of Schwan’s Ice Cream. Julia was a Notre Dame football fan, for better or worse.

A Zoom memorial service will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 1 p.m. with a slideshow remembrance starting at 12:50. The link for the service is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86957193411?pwd=VnVMK09nd0dFZytsbUVtekRRbEZoZz09

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Roca Blanca Missions, Walnut Hill Mennonite Church or Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church.

She will be remembered and missed by many, especially her family.