Raymond W. Norberg

Raymond W. Norberg, Jr., 86, of Stevensville, passed away Thursday, December 24, 2015 at his home in Stevensville.  A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. Saturday at St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Elks Lodge #541 located at 601 Riverview Drive, Benton Harbor where a Memorial Ceremony will take place a 1 P.M.  Memorials may be made to St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Elks Lodge #541 Major Projects. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Mr. Norberg was born January 5, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois.  He graduated from Manistique High School in 1947 and went on to earn his Bachelors of Music and Masters of Arts Degree from Western Michigan College of Education Kalamazoo.  He then Served in the United States Army at Fort Carson Colorado as the Assistant Camp Band Director.  Upon returning to St. Joseph he was named the Director of Instrumental Music at Fair Plain Junior High School, where he remained until 1972 when he took the position as Instrumental Music Director for the Coloma School District.  April 3, 1972 he married Jeanine M. Norberg in Michigan City. Ray was the consummate musician playing with the Kalamazoo Orchestra (1st Trombonist), St. Joseph Municipal Band, the Diffenderfer Norberg Music Dance Band, and the Ray Norberg Trio with his dearest friend, Robert Alti, on the drums.  A loyal and active lifetime member of Elks Lodge #541, Ray served as Lodge and State Organist for many years, was an Exalted Ruler (1994-95), District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler (1989-1990), and was awarded the Michigan Elks “Citizen of the Year” at the 2006 State convention.    An avid fan of his Cubbies and Da’Bears, Ray’s golf game, Elk’s activities and music filled his days after retirement.    Raymond is survived by his; two daughters-Laryl (Michael) Riley of Westerly, RI, Ingrid Singleton of Pensacola, FL; two sons-Raymond Norberg, III of Atlanta, GA, Eric Norberg, of Westerly, RI; six grandchildren; and his sister Joan (James) Proudian of Elgin, IL. Also surviving is his former wife Paula Norberg of Groton, CT. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond W. Norberg, Sr. and Hazel E. Johnson, and his wife Jeanine Norberg.