Ivan Norris

Ivan Norval Norris, 88, formerly of Bettendorf, died Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Silvercrest Assisted Living in Clive, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 12, 2011 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home where a Masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Ainsworth Cemetery in Ainsworth, Iowa at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Arrowhead Ranch or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Ivan was born November 23, 1922, the son of Lee & Ruth (Simpson) Norris. He was united in marriage to Merna E. Kennedy on November 10, 1946 in Newton, Iowa. She preceded him in death on October 10, 1995. Norval was retired from Alcoa where he had been employed for over 25 years. He had attended the Shuron Optical School in Geneva, New York in earlier years and had worked for various optical firms as a lens grinder. He was a former Master Mason with the Hamilton Masonic Lodge in Bettendorf and had been a member of the Bettendorf Lions Club. Norval and Merna were also members of the former '24' Club in Bettendorf. An Iowa Hawkeyes fan, he enjoyed all their sports programs as well as golfing, fishing, and was an accomplished bowler. As a Mason, he enjoyed bricklaying as a learned skill and working with his hands.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Kathleen Bryant of Newton, Iowa and Mary (Tim) Immel of Clive; his grandchildren, Scott (Nichole) Bryant, Erin (Brad) Sammons, Kathleen Immel, Julia Immel, Caroline Immel and Jane Immel; his great-grandchildren, Charles, Lilah and Wesley; and his brother, Tracy (Emilie) Norris of Muncie, Indiana. In addition to his wife, Merna, Norval was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Norbert; his son-in-law, Charles Bryant; and his special friend, Hope Whisler. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Ivan’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.