Norman Edward Pratt

Norman Edward Pratt, age 83 of Clinton, Mich. passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. Norm was born in Clinton on April 4, 1936. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Anna (Northrup) Pratt; a sister, Nellie Jordan; and brother-in-law, George Bancroft.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Constance (Hedges) Pratt, and his five children: Margaret (Schlenker) and Dale Yarbrough, Tammy and Dennis Carrick, Tracy and Dawn Pratt, Trina and Matthew Roe and Troy Oliver Pratt (bagger at Busch’s in Tecumseh), and several grandchildren as well as his other two sisters, Nadine Bancroft and Norleen and Bud Hicks.

Norman had enlisted into the Navy where he served as a third class Petty Officer on the USS Bennington aircraft carrier from 1956–1962. He was presented with a Mutual Defense Award Badge of Honor in recognition of his heroism to defend Taiwan, Quemoy and Matsu from Chinese communist attacks.  

Norman and his wife, Connie, have contributed a great deal of their lives to the Pieper Hull Sparks American Legion Post 176 in Clinton, establishing the site and remodeling the building, including a handicap ramp.  Acting as Commander he managed meetings, calling bingo and assisting with parades, funerals for fallen brothers and sisters of the military and many other events. In addition he was also an active member of the VFW and the 40et8.

He retired from Ford Motor Company after 33 years. He also worked as a painter at Rudy Pratt and Son Painters painting churches and barns. After retirement, he worked for the Village of Clinton doing maintenance to the parks and cemetery. He had been a Little League baseball coach for Clinton Elementary School and he enjoyed activities such as camping across the country, fishing and hunting with his family.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, by the Purse Funeral Home at Riverside Cemetery, Clinton with military honors provided by the Pieper Hull Sparks American Legion Post 176. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post, 115 N. Jackson St. Per Norman’s wishes cremation was planned.