JV Norton, age 88 of Knox City, MO passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026 in the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, MO. He was born December 25, 1937, in rural Knox City, MO the son of Johnnie Lee and Vadah Belle Matticks Norton.

JV was united in marriage to Joyce Ann Layman in Knox City, MO on March 23, 1958.

JV attended White Oak School and graduated from Knox City High School in 1955. After graduating from high school JV worked with the FBI in St. Louis, MO but his true calling was to return to the farm in Knox City. Over the years JV grew corn and soybeans but his true passion was black cattle. JV continued to raise cattle until his passing.

During high school JV was a pitcher and outfielder on the softball team and continued to play slow pitch softball until the age of 42.

JV was a member of the Knox City United Methodist Church, Colony Masonic Lodge # 168 AF & AM, El Kadir Shrine of Kirksville, MO and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. He was a partner of the Kirksville Livestock Market and President of Great River Management Company.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Joyce Norton of Knox City, MO, three children, Jeff (Anne) Norton of Quincy, IL, Jacki Holland of Grain Valley, MO and Joan (Dannie) Dale of Knox City, MO, six grandchildren, J Ryan (Melissa) Norton of Quincy, IL, Rachel (Dane) Killam of Carlinville, IL, Austin (Kelcie) Holland of Grain Valley, MO, Allison (Jesse) Crank of Grain Valley, MO, Hannah (Mitchel) Penn of Edina, MO and Lauren Dale of Harvard, IL, thirteen great grandchildren, Gwen, Jace, and Elle Norton, Jak and Ben Killam, Avery, Cameron, and Mila Holland, Charlotte and Harper Crank, Piper, Peyton and Parker Penn. He is also survived by a brother-in-law Fred Carder (JoAnne) Layman and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

JV was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Fred W. layman and mother-in-law Anna Mae Carder Layman, sister Barbara Ann Davis Goodwin, daughter-in-law Penny Norton, uncle Robert and aunt Ann Norton, nephews Jerry, Clifford, Ricky and Micky Davis, great-nephew John Davis and Maddie his beloved dog.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family. JV and Joyce celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by taking the family on an Alaskan cruise. His second greatest joy was raising cattle on the farm. JV loved the St. Louis Cardinals, Mizzou Tigers and Kansas City Chiefs. He was also a very generous person. He was always the first to help a friend in need.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 30th in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Visitation will be held Saturday at 12 p.m. and services will follow at 3 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Officiating the services will be Reverend Doug Wilson assisted by Reverend Youngnam Park. Music will be provided by JoAnne Layman, Lisa Blake and Ryan Park.

Casket bearers will be J Ryan Norton, Austin Holland, Mitchel Penn, Jerry Davis, Jesse Crank and David Cook.

Honorary bearers will be Bill Hayes, Larry Dean Hubble, Michael Bayles, Chuck Daniels and Garry (Bim) Parsons, Phil Duane, Fred Carder Layman and Members of El Kadir Shrine Club.

Memorials in memory of JV Norton may be made to Shriner’s Hospital, St. Judes, Tunnel to Towers, Knox City United Methodist Church or Charity of your choice. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO, 63537.

Online condolences may be left at www.hudsonrimerfh.com