Melvin "Mel" Merle Norris

A celebration of his life will be Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 10 am at The Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-7 pm at the mortuary. His final resting place will be in the Garden Mausoleum at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may go to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation or the National Parkinson’s Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com.

Mel was born in Iowa City, IA on May 8, 1934. He was the son of George and Rosie Mae (Rhodes) Riley however, was raised by Bess and Bill Rowell, his grandparents. He married Carole D. Chrysler on September 27, 1963 in Davenport. She passed away August 25, 2004.

He was a cement mason for 30 years before retiring in 2002. He was a member of the Cement Masons Union #544 where he started as a board member then became Vice President and finally President of the Union. Him and his wife previously owned and operated Norris Rental Properties and General Repair Company in Davenport. He also served as maintenance supervisor for the Breckenridge Apartments in Davenport.

Mel was a NASCAR enthusiast, especially Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and loved watching Western movies, fishing and traveling with his wife.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Betsy (Mike) Timmerman, Doug (Mary) Norris and Dean (Dixie) Norris, all of Davenport, grandchildren: Jessica, Samantha (Adel) and Carolyn (Kennedie), great grandchildren Kyleigha, Paris, Legend, Evelyn and Myles and a host of many friends.

In addition to his wife, Mel was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, special friend, June Baum and a great grandchild, Zurick (2017).