Richard H. Norris

Richard H. Norris, 86, of Canal Fulton, passed away peacefully

on March 18, 2026 at Aultman Compassionate Care Center.

He was born on April 1, 1939 to the late Arthur and Myrtle (McCann) Norris in Wheelersburg, OH. After moving around several times over the next few years, the family settled in Canal Fulton in 1943.

Rich was a graduate of Northwest High School, Class of 1957. This class was more than just a collection of students. They were family and still gather annually for a reunion even after 68 years. Rich often shared many fond memories of his school days and childhood friends. He still enjoyed the frequent phone calls and kept in touch with many of his classmates nearly seven decades later.

After graduation, Rich spent one semester at Adrian College in Michigan. He then transferred to Kent State University, where he would receive his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1962. He started his accounting career at Touche-Ross-Bailey and Smart in Cleveland and then spent most of his career with Republic Steel/LTV Steel, retiring after 34 years in 2001.

Rich was a proud, yet humble veteran of The United States Army. He took a leave of absence from his first accounting job in late 1962 to volunteer for the draft. He served for one year before being honorably discharged in November 1963.

His Christian Faith was of the utmost importance to Rich. Even in the most difficult times his trust in the Lord never wavered. He was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Massillon and in recent years joined Canal Fulton United Methodist Church. Rich was an active volunteer in the church in countless ways. He co-founded, along with Jim Lieb, the monthly Men’s Breakfast, where the men would follow a Saturday morning meal by tackling various repair and maintenance jobs around the church. He faithfully called everyone with a reminder of the next breakfast. He also was a communion steward, an usher, participated in the Hanging of the Greens, and regularly volunteered his time for a variety of odds and ends around the church.

Rich loved baseball and was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians. However, he had the misfortune of starting his fandom in 1949, the year after the Tribe won their last World Series Championship. He passionately cheered and hoped for a title every season afterward, and his family (filled with Cleveland baseball fans) still continues that championship yearning.

Rich also enjoyed following a variety of high school sports, most notably boys’ basketball. For over 30 years, he traveled with his friends Denny Galehouse and Terry Kroeger to Columbus for the state championship tournament, where they would attend 12 games in three days. He could still recount starting lineups and final scores decades later.

Rich loved volunteering with children. He adored his own children and grandchildren, but also spent time teaching Junior Church, coaching softball and girls’ basketball, helping with Youth Group activities, and was involved with Cub Scouts.

Rich was a caregiver not just for his immediate family, but also for his mother, brother, father-in-law and sister-in-law. He enjoyed telephoning and visiting shut-ins as a member of the Friendly Visitors in Massillon. He organized projects to help those in need, like Undie Sunday donations for the Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron.

Rich and his family traveled extensively throughout the United States. They visited countless historic landmarks, attended baseball games in numerous major league stadiums, explored national parks, beaches and mountains, and toured exciting cities. One of his most memorable trips was driving with Ellen across Route 66 to California. He only traveled overseas once, and that was to Great Britain and Ireland in 2007, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

While not an avid chef, Rich was famous for his chocolate chip cookies and baked delicious apple pies for the holidays.

He loved old cars and attending classic car shows. He even got to show off his 1937 DeSoto in a couple town parades and turned a 1948 Chrysler Windsor into his vehicle of choice in the 2010s.

He loved and cared for the many pets that Ellen and his kids brought into the home over the years, and his adoration for them continued to grow over the years. Believe it or not, he shared his bed with our dog Daisy Mae for the last decade!

Rich will be remembered as a kind and gentle man. He loved his family deeply, always thought of others before himself, and was devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We miss you, Dad, and love you more than you could ever know. You gave your family (especially your kids) unconditional love and never-ending support – more than we could ever ask for. Rest peacefully, and we will see you again.

Rich is survived by his loving wife, Ellen (Ziemak) Norris; children, Kelly (Roy) Witsaman, Carey (Janel) Norris, Jennifer (Mark) Johnson, Stacie (Terry) Slay, Sean Norris, and Megan (Timothy) Neal; grandchildren, David (Abi) Witsaman, Michael (Cheyenne) Witsaman, Jorja Norris aka Leo Norris, Haley Slay and Jack Slay; great-grandchild on the way; sister, Mable Long; brother, Donald (Robbie) Norris; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Paulette Norris, John (Sally) Ziemak, Mary (Frank) Kozel, and Mary Ziemak.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Norris; brothers, Arthur Norris, Forrest "Bud" Norris, Edward Norris, Ronald “Ronnie” Norris, and Thomas Norris; sisters-in-law, Laurabelle Norris, Peggy Norris, and Shirley Norris; and brother-in-law Paul Ziemak.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon, Ohio and on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Canal Fulton United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 10:30 am at the Canal Fulton United Methodist Church with Pastors Shaun Green and Julia Wertz officiating.

Burial will take place in Chestnut Hills Memorial Park, Cuyahoga Falls.

The family would like to thank the staff at Amherst Meadows and Aultman Compassionate Care Center for their kindness and quality care provided to Rich.

Memorials are suggested to the Haven of Rest Ministries, 175 East Market St, Akron, OH 44308 or Aultman Compassionate Care Center, 2821 Woodlawn Ave NW, Canton, OH 44708.

To share a memory of Rich or leave a special message for his family, visit the guest book below.